TICINO

First case of monkeypox in Ticino.

A case was confirmed on Tuesday and the individual has been placed in isolation, while contacts have been informed
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Redazione
24.06.2022 06:00

The first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Canton Ticino. A total of forty-six cases were reported in Switzerland as of yesterday. The individual has been placed in isolation and their contacts have been informed.

The Cantonal Medical Office (CMO) was notified on Tuesday, June 21, that a resident of Ticino had tested positive for monkeypox virus. Transmission is likely to have occurred abroad. The person is receiving treatment as an outpatient and is in home isolation. The UMC has been searching his contacts to detect possible chains of transmission and to actively notify these individuals, who should monitor their condition for three weeks.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that can be transmitted from animals (mainly rodents) to humans. Transmission from person to person can be through respiratory droplets in case of close and prolonged contact. The virus can also be transmitted through contact with an infected person's skin lesions or newly contaminated objects.

As of the beginning of May 2022, there have been more than 3,000 cases of monkeypox that have been reported in several European countries, America and Australia. The low transmissibility, which is limited to close contacts, results in a troublesome communicable disease with potential for even significant spread, but at present it is not to be regarded as on par with a virus with pandemic potential. Therefore, nothing comparable to Coronavirus.

The early symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, muscle and back pain, and the swelling of lymph nodes. One to three days after the onset of fever, a rash with blisters or boils develops. The rash usually spreads from the head to the rest of the body. The palms of the hands and soles of the feet may also be affected.

In case of a confirmed infection, that is, after laboratory analysis and medical consultation, the cantonal medical office orders isolation, the duration of which will depend on the course of the disease.

In contrast to human smallpox, eradicated since 1980, monkeypox is generally considerably less severe. As a rule, the disease does not require hospitalization and recovery occurs within a few weeks, although severe systemic disease may also develop in some cases.

More information can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health