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An Argentine sailor tested negative for MPox but positive for chickenpox
The World Health Organization admits that MPOX cannot be diagnosed based on appearance alone
The government of Argentina’s Santa Fe province confirmed on Wednesday that a crew member of the INA LOTTE grain freighter had symptoms similar to monkeypox, but tested positive for the disease, which the World Health Organization declared a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) last week. The man did, however, have chickenpox.
The Liberian-flagged vessel was quarantined earlier this week near the port of San Lorenzo on the Paraná River north of Rosario after its captain reported needing medical assistance.
“The diagnosis was varicella zoster, and the analysis was negative for smallpox. These diseases are transmitted in different ways,” explained Analía Chumpitaz, director of health promotion and prevention at Santa Fe. “Only one person (on board) showed symptoms, so samples were taken from these lesions,” Chumpitaz also pointed out.
WHO has acknowledged that it is not always easy to identify monkeypox, as other infections and conditions can look similar. “It is important to distinguish it from chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmitted infections and drug allergies. Laboratory testing is therefore essential so that patients can be treated as quickly as possible and further spread can be prevented,” the UN agency stressed.
Carolina Kudos, Santa Fe’s director of epidemiology, stressed that “it was important to sound the alarm in time to avoid putting people at risk.” She also foresaw that “this situation may continue to happen to other patients.” She argued: “We know that there is a lot of population mobility in our province, and it is important for people to let the government know that we are working hard to take quick action when a positive case occurs.”
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