The civil association Solidaridad Ed Thomas, (SETAC), launched a community action protocol for monkeypox in the municipality of Puerto Vallarta, which includes health promotion and prevention; primary, medical, and psychological care, and referral of possible cases.
The foregoing, in the face of the health emergency declared by the World Health Organization due to this disease that has infected 39 people in the state, according to data from the Jalisco Health Secretariat, of which 12 are reported in Puerto Vallarta, and many more detected in other cities and countries in patience with recent travel to Vallarta.
The protocol has three pillars: The dissemination of care measures and identification of symptoms; primary medical and psychological care in the agency’s offices, with patient follow-up, including through telemedicine, and; for case confirmation, they are referred to the public health laboratory located in El Remance.
Francisco Javier Arjona Barbosa, executive director of SETAC, explained that, officially, as of August 22, 386 monkeypox infections have been confirmed in the country, Jalisco being second nationally with 69 confirmed cases, although in Puerto Vallarta, there has been one new case detected every day for the last week, so – he said – it is of great importance to collaborate with the authorities to stop the outbreak.
Arjona Barbosa added that the community protocol has already started in two nightclubs in the romantic zone and that it is available to any commercial establishment that wishes to start it, such as bars, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, etc. To do this, interested people can write to the email [email protected] and the whatsapp number 322 108 9066.
Doctor Alain Hernández Flores, also from SETAC, confirmed that the disease lasts an average of 21 days, it is transmitted by direct contact with the secretions of a sick person through mucous membranes or skin lesions, respiratory droplets and objects contaminated with body fluids, and can be prevented by avoiding direct physical contact with people who are sick or suspected of having the disease.
“Sexual contact is an activity that must be taken into account, since monkeypox is spread by very close contact between two or more people. There are practices that can increase the risk of infection, such as: sex with multiple people or sex parties; this, due to close contact between people,” the doctor pointed out.
SETAC published a microsite at setac.com.mx/viruela with information available to the population, as well as a community registry of monkeypox cases, in order to compare the data from the Ministry of Health and demonstrate that infections are not minor nor isolated.
Finally, on behalf of the LGBT+ community, SETAC joined the demand of other civil organizations at the national level for the authorities to train the personnel of health institutions to provide information, dignified care, without stigma and attached to human rights and It is particularly urgent that they acquire vaccines for the prevention of monkeypox, with their application in the population at greatest risk.
