Smallpox of monkeys, infections are increasing in Italy. Lombardy is the most affected region

The number of monkeypox infections in Italy is growing.

According to the latest bulletin released by the Ministry of Health,

, an increase of 1 compared to the last survey.

With 840 infections, men are still the most affected, while the number of women suffering from Monkeypox is equal to 11. There are 236 cases linked to travel abroad.

.

Lazio followed with 150 cases and Emilia Romagna with 85. There are no cases of monkeypox, however, in Basilicata, Calabria, Molise, Umbria and Valle d'Aosta. 

The median age of patients is 

always

(with a range that goes from 14 to 71 years).

The first case of

monkeypox (monkeypox)

was reported on 20 May and since then the number of infections has grown steadily, closely monitored by the surveillance system set up by the Ministry of Health.

"

- explains Dr. Simona Di Giambenedetto, researcher at the complex operating unit of Infectious Diseases at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Gemelli University Hospital Foundation in Rome - it is a DNA virus, of the Poxviridae family, very similar to that of smallpox “Classic” which, however, as happens for many viral diseases (see Covid and HIV), has made the so-called “species leap”, passing into the monkey.

And it's not even the first time.

In the past, in fact, this was a bovine virus, which was transmitted to humans through contact with the infected animal. "Until the 1970s, vaccination against smallpox was mandatory and this helped to eradicate this disease."

Even the vaccines against monkeypox that are offered today to the categories at risk - continues Di Giambenedetto - are in fact vaccines against smallpox (even if specific vaccines against monkeypox are being studied), which give coverage of 85-90% against this disease;

those who have been vaccinated against smallpox in the past only need one dose.

And in any case, those who received the vaccination as a child, even in the case of monkeypox infection, have mild pictures that go to recovery within a few days, without the need for therapy. "The smallpox vaccination is offered free of charge, if you fall into the risk categories, by contacting the infectious disease services, such as that of the Gemelli Hospital, for reservations.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

.

The monkeypox manifests itself

with low-grade fever, pharyngodynia and swollen lymph nodes in the neck (laterocervical) which may precede the appearance of the typical lesions, similar to varicella vesicles.

They can appear all over the body, even in the genital system.

"Faced with such a picture - says Di Giambenedetto - the advice is to go to a health facility to carry out specific tests, represented by the vesicle swab and the throat swab to search for the virus with a specific test (PCR). 

Treatment

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It is important to isolate the patient at home, advising him not to have contact with other people, because the infection is also possible by contact;

it is advisable to remain isolated at least until the scabs fall (which occurs 10-14 days from the beginning of the symptoms), while for sexual intercourse it is necessary to wait at least another twelve weeks, after the scabs fall.

At the moment the category at greatest risk is represented by homosexual subjects with promiscuous relationships "." For the treatment, in the case of subjects with important lesions and with poor immune response - explains Damiano Farinacci, medical director of the