BUENOS AIRES: Argentine authorities have quarantined a cargo ship within the Parana River close to the inland grains port of Rosario over a suspected case of mpox onboard, an trade official stated on Tuesday (Aug 20).
Fernando Morales, president of trade physique the Argentine Naval League, stated {that a} Liberian-flagged ship set to select up soy cargo had been ordered to drop anchor within the river whereas a check on a crew member was carried out.
“A crew member with fever and weak point was taken to a hospital in San Nicolas. There they carried out some assessments and so they say that in precept it might be mpox,” Morales stated, including that the prognosis was not but confirmed.
The World Health Organization last week declared mpox a world public well being emergency for the second time in two years as a brand new variant of the virus unfold quickly in Africa. A day later, a case of the clade 1b variant was confirmed in Sweden, the primary signal of its unfold outdoors Africa.
Mpox, a viral an infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like signs, is normally gentle however can kill. The clade 1b selection has brought about concern as a result of it appears to unfold extra simply via routine shut contact.
Morales stated well being authorities had been guarding the ship and would study different members of the crew.
Some 13 international locations have reported mpox circumstances brought on by different strains throughout the Americas this yr, in keeping with WHO knowledge as of final week. Argentina has beforehand recorded eight circumstances.
Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic is about to resolve this week on whether or not to ramp up vaccine manufacturing, whereas Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche has stated it’s seeking to enhance its laboratory testing capability.
