In Ecuador, monkeypox cases increase up to 10, with only one fatality

Quito 9 August : Ecuador has confirmed three new cases of monkeypox, bringing the total number of cases to 10, with one fatality the Public Health Ministry said.

"One individual died on Monday due to of his pre-existing illnesses," the Ministry added on Monday in an announcement.

Three new cases of the disease were discovered in those between 20-49 "following an epidemiological monitoring" in the provinces of Santa Elena, Los Rios and Azuay according to the Ministry and added that all of them were in stable health at home , and under medical supervision.The Ministry urged people to maintain preventive health methods, including wearing a face mask as well as to seek out the nearest hospital or clinic in cases of symptoms of monkeypox such as malaise, fever, and lesions on the skin, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ecuador has detected its first instance of the virus on the 6th of July in a man aged 30 in Guayaquil.So far, there has been no widespread transmission of monkeypox in the South American country, according to health authorities who have put in place measures to stop the spread of the disease.int/khz/ .