Mpox Cases Rise in Quintana Roo: Symptoms to Watch For

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, has once again raised concerns in Quintana Roo after a man with suspected severe symptoms was admitted to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) specialty clinic in Cancún on August 4. The patient, reportedly a 40-year-old man, was transported in an isolation capsule by the Red Cross and remains under medical observation while awaiting laboratory results to confirm or rule out the presence of the virus.

According to IMSS personnel, this would mark the seventh suspected case of Mpox recorded in Quintana Roo. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains an active alert following a global outbreak that began in 2022, which has gained momentum with new strains, such as clade Ib, recently detected outside Africa.

What Is Mpox and How Is It Transmitted?

Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease caused by the MPXV virus, belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus, the same family as human smallpox. While most cases result in full recovery, the disease can lead to severe complications and even death, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, or young children.

According to the WHO, Mpox is primarily transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual relations, kissing, or exposure to respiratory particles. It can also spread through contaminated objects, such as clothing or bedsheets, and during pregnancy or childbirth. In less frequent cases, it can be transmitted from animals to humans through bites, handling, or consumption of infected meat.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms typically appear between 1 and 21 days after infection and can last from 2 to 4 weeks. They include:

• Painful or itchy skin rash, which begins as a spot, turns into a blister, and later forms a scab.
• Fever.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Headache, sore throat, back pain, or muscle pain.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Pain when swallowing or urinating (in some cases).

The rash may appear on the face, palms, soles of the feet, genitals, throat, mouth, and anus. Some patients develop only a few lesions, while others may have hundreds. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, eye infections, or sepsis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Distinguishing monkeypox from other infections such as herpes, chickenpox, or syphilis can be challenging. Therefore, PCR testing, which detects the virus’s DNA in skin lesions, is the most accurate diagnostic method.

Currently, there is no approved specific antiviral treatment, though some medications are under study. Management focuses on symptom relief, wound care, and preventing complications. For HIV-positive patients, continuing antiretroviral therapy is crucial.

As a preventive measure, health authorities recommend home isolation for those with symptoms, mask-wearing, covering lesions, avoiding shared personal items, and abstaining from sexual relations for at least 12 weeks after recovery.

Mpox in Quintana Roo

Of the seven suspected cases reported, three occurred in Playa del Carmen. Unfortunately, one patient died on July 15, 2025. Four have been discharged, while two remain under medical supervision.

Health officials urge the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if suspicious symptoms arise. The WHO continues to collaborate with affected countries to contain the spread of Mpox, particularly amid rising cases of clade Ib in various regions worldwide.