First case of monkeypox detected in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Nov 4 (EFE).- The health authorities of Sri Lanka confirmed Friday the first monkeypox infection in the island nation in a patient who arrived from abroad.

The patient has been admitted to the country’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) for treatment and investigation.

“An investigation into the case, to assess its risks on the community by the presence of this patient has started,” Health Services’ Deputy Director-General Hemantha Herath told EFE.

He added that the results of the investigation would be announced “soon” by the Director General of Health Services.

A health officer, who asked not to be named, told EFE that the moneky-pox patient was a 20-year-old returning from Dubai.

The largest outbreak of monkeypox so far in countries where this disease is not endemic was in the UK in the month of May.

A total of 77,264 confirmed cases of the monkey-pox, including 36 deaths, recorded across the world until the end of October, according to the World Health Organization data.

The WHO declared an international emergency in July over the spread of cases across the world.

Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease that spreads between species, including animals to humans, and is caused by the virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus, which also includes smallpox.

The disease is endemic in West and Central African countries. EFE

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