Hidalgo has registered its first case of monkeypox in 2025. According to the epidemiological bulletin from the federal Ministry of Health as of epidemiological week 19, the state joins the states where infections of this virus have emerged. Mexico City is the most concentrated, with 117 cases so far. The total nationwide is 171.
Based on this report, the Hidalgo Ministry of Health confirmed the patient is a 32-year-old man, a resident of the Pachuca municipality. They detailed that the individual received initial care at a private hospital. He was subsequently kept in home isolation. The current diagnosis is favorable, with a stable state of health and no complications.
Given that this is the first case of the year, health authorities in the state reiterated their priority to provide care and prevention to the entire population to detect possible cases promptly, as well as to take action to prevent further increases in infections.
It’s worth mentioning that since the monkeypox outbreak was announced in 2022, Hidalgo has had a cumulative total of 26 infections. The last reported case prior to this one was on April 20, 2023, in a patient living in Mineral de la Reforma.
What is monkeypox and how is it spread?
Monkeypox is a viral infection characterized by a temperature rise above 38 degrees Celsius and the appearance of rashes. According to experts, this virus, native to Africa, is of the same genus as smallpox and is spread through physical contact, skin-to-skin, or contact with the clothing or bedding of an infected person.
Health authorities in Hidalgo indicate that this virus can also be spread by inhaling respiratory droplets, so the use of face masks is recommended. As well as maternal-fetal transmission, that is, from mother to baby during birth.
What are the symptoms?
This viral infection causes fever (greater than or equal to 38°C), headache, muscle pain, and pain or swelling in the lymph nodes around the neck. Later, the first rash appears on the face and hands, which then spread to the rest of the body.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that symptoms disappear within 2 to 4 weeks without specific treatment. Therefore, care is based on caring for the rash, controlling discomfort, and preventing complications. However, in at-risk groups, such as pregnant women, children, and immunosuppressed individuals (cancer patients, HIV patients, those undergoing chemotherapy, transplant recipients, among others), the Mpox virus can cause more severe illness and even death.
What are the symptoms?
This viral infection causes fever (greater than or equal to 38°C), headache, muscle pain, and pain or swelling in the lymph nodes around the neck. Later, the first rash appears on the face and hands, which then spread to the rest of the body.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that symptoms disappear within 2 to 4 weeks without specific treatment. Therefore, care is based on caring for the rash, controlling discomfort, and preventing complications. However, it is not recommended for at-risk groups, such as pregnant women, children, and immunosuppressed individuals (cancer patients, HIV patients, those undergoing chemotherapy, transplant recipients, among others). However, the Mpox virus can cause more severe illness and even death.
How to prevent infection?
Currently, specialists rule out contagion levels similar to COVID-19; However, the WHO recommends maintaining epidemiological surveillance based on laboratory testing and timely reporting of probable and confirmed cases. The Ministry of Health urges the public to be alert to symptoms and, if they experience any of the aforementioned ailments, to refrain from self-medicating and to immediately seek prompt diagnosis.
Among the recommended actions to follow are:
In the presence of a rash and/or the characteristic eruptions, timely isolation should be implemented to reduce the risk of contagion;
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or disinfectant, especially before or after touching the lesions;
Wear a mask and cover the lesions in the presence of others until the rash heals;
Keep skin dry and uncovered (except when others are in the same room);
Avoid touching objects in shared spaces and disinfect them frequently;
Rinse with salt water if you have lesions in your mouth;
Take sitz baths or warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salt for body lesions;
Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen;
Avoid popping or scratching blisters, as this can slow healing, spread the rash to other parts of the body, and infect the lesions; and
Do not shave the lesions until the scabs have fallen off and the skin has regenerated; otherwise, the rash may spread to other parts of the body.
Source: lasillarota
