Madrid has reported its first case of local transmission of the most dangerous mpox variant, also known as monkeypox. A 49-year-old man diagnosed with the disease is currently under home quarantine. His condition is stable, and doctors note a positive trend.
The patient recently developed symptoms: high fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash resembling chickenpox. The rash affected his hands, face, and the genital area. After the onset of symptoms, samples were taken from the skin lesions, which confirmed the diagnosis.
Regional health authorities reported that the man had intimate contact with Madrid residents. Specialists are now investigating whether anyone in his circle may have also been infected. All biological samples have been sent to the National Center for Microbiology for further analysis. The Ministry of Health has already been notified about the case.
The clado 1b variant detected in this patient is notable for its increased aggressiveness and mortality rate—estimated at up to 3.6%. This strain spread from Central African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi. Adults are most often infected through sexual contact, while children contract it through household transmission. In August 2024, the World Health Organization recognized this variant as a threat of international concern, but by September, it had lifted the emergency status.
Madrid authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge residents to be more vigilant about their health. Special attention is being paid to identifying new cases and preventing further spread of the infection.
