2022–2023 mpox outbreak in South America

Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

[2] Diagnosis can be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing a lesion for the virus's DNA.

The resident returned to the United Kingdom on 4 May, creating the country's index case of the outbreak.

Some monitors saw community transmission taking place in the London area as of mid-May,[9] but it has been suggested that cases were already spreading in Europe in the previous months.

It is believed to be transmitted by close contact with sick people, with extra caution for those individuals with lesions on their skin or genitals, along with their bedding and clothing.

[11] In addition to more common symptoms, such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes or lesions, some patients have also experienced proctitis, an inflammation of the rectum lining.

CDC has also warned clinicians to not rule out mpox in patients with sexually transmitted infections since there have been reports of co-infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes.

It was in a male of unknown age who had likely contracted the disease via skin-to-skin contact in Madrid, Spain which had already been affected by the mpox outbreak.

[16] On 23 June, Colombia confirmed its first three cases of mpox in adults of unknown genders and ages.

[20] On 20 May, the WHO convened an emergency meeting of independent advisers to discuss the outbreak and assess the threat level.

[21] Its European chief, Hans Kluge, expressed concern that infections could accelerate in Europe as people gather for parties and festivals over the summer.

[23] Another meeting convened on 23 June determined that the outbreak does not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the time being.