First case of monkeypox in the Canary Islands confirmed in Gran Canaria

The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands has just confirmed the first case of monkeypox in the Canary Islands, on the island of Gran Canaria, after receiving the result of the test carried out a few days ago. The second case reported last Friday is still waiting for the result of the test which is being analyzed in coordination with the National Center for Microbiology.

Both cases notified last week continue with a favorable evolution and they are in isolation at home.

The protocol of the Ministry of Health classifies cases between probable and suspected depending on whether the patient presents only compatible symptoms (clinical criteria) or if he also meets epidemiological and laboratory criteria.

The Canary Islands also notified three other probable cases today, all in Gran Canaria, which correspond to three young men whose evolution is also favorable, two of them in isolation at home, while the third had to be admitted for another pathology.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox infection is a rare disease until now that causes fever, headache, swollen glands and rashes on the hands and face, similar to that caused by chickenpox.

The virus has a low capacity for human-to-human transmission and requires close, intimate contact. The incubation period ranges from 5 to 13 days, although it can sometimes be as long as 21 days.