Mpox Virus Update: Yucatan Detects Eight Potential Cases

Since 2022, Yucatan has reported a total of 170 cases of Mpox virus infection, formerly known as monkeypox. This year, eight potential cases have been identified, though none have been confirmed, according to the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the federal Ministry of Health. Out of the total reported cases in the state, 162 were managed on an outpatient basis, five required hospitalization, and two resulted in death.

In 2022, 160 cases were detected, with an additional 10 identified in 2023. Emergency medicine specialists indicate that deaths related to Mpox primarily occur due to untreated skin wounds that can become infected, leading to sepsis and eventually death.

The Ministry of Health states that the disease typically lasts around 21 days and is transmitted through direct contact with a sick person's secretions via mucous membranes or skin wounds, respiratory droplets, and objects contaminated with body fluids. Prevention measures include avoiding direct physical contact with individuals who are sick or suspected to be infected with the disease. The disease can also be spread through sexual contact, requiring caution due to the close contact between individuals.

Since the emergence of Mpox in Mexico, 4,153 cases have been confirmed nationwide. The disease predominantly affects males, accounting for 97 percent of cases, with the most affected age group being 30 to 34 years old. This age group has an incidence rate of 1.07 per 10,000 inhabitants, with 1,092 out of the total confirmed cases.

As of Monday, September 2nd, the majority of cases were located in Mexico City, with 2,156 confirmed infections, representing 51.91 percent of the total. This was followed by Jalisco, with 413 infections (9.94 percent), and the State of Mexico, with 170 confirmed cases (8.88 percent). These three states account for 70.74 percent of the country's total cases.

In contrast, from 2020 to 2024, Durango recorded only three positive cases, Colima and Zacatecas each had six, Sonora reported seven, and Michoacán had eight. Currently, the Yucatan Peninsula has reported 450 cases, making it the third most affected region, accounting for 10.84 percent of the total.