The first indigenous case of the new MPOX variant has been detected in Madrid.

BarcelonaA 49-year-old man residing in the Community of Madrid is the first case of autochthonous infection (from person to person within the country without prior travel) of the most contagious strain of MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox), clade 1b. Until now, all reported cases were imported from abroad.

According to the Madrid Directorate General of Public Health, the positive case was confirmed this Friday after the affected person presented symptoms and lesions compatible with the disease and has already been notified to the Ministry of Health. However, health authorities assure that the patient is in home isolation and is progressing favorably, and his contacts are already being investigated to identify potential secondary cases. Samples from all of them will be sent to the National Microbiology Center for analysis.

Clade 1b is a subvariant of this infectious disease that has raised concerns due to its increased transmission capacity and the fact that it has been detected outside of traditionally endemic areas in Central Africa. In fact, it was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). in August 2024 Due to its rapid spread and severity, although the alert was deactivated last September. In countries with a weaker healthcare system, an estimated mortality rate of 3.6% is observed, much higher than that of the previous variant.

However, the Ministry of Health has confirmed this Friday that, contrary to what was initially thought when it appeared more than a year ago, the MPOX variant detected in Madrid is not more serious than the original and does not entail a higher rate of complications than the original. In statements to Efe, the Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, assures that the State has surveillance and response protocols for this variant, such as vaccination.

487 imported cases this year

Until now, all reported cases of this variant in Europe had been imported from areas where it is actively circulating, therefore, local transmission had not been documented. According to the latest epidemiological bulletin from the Carlos III Health Institute, since 2022 and up to October 7, Spain has detected a total of 9,027 cases of mpox, 487 of them this year, not counting what was confirmed this Friday. 97.6% are men, and the main route of transmission is sexual contact.

Mpox is a viral zoonosis (a disease caused by a virus that is transmitted from animals to people) that is rare in European countries and can appear between 5 and 21 days after infection, although it usually occurs between days 6 and 13. Initially, it causes symptoms like the above as well as severe symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes and fever.

In addition, the infection causes a characteristic skin rash that often begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the hands, feet, genitals, and anal area. The lesions, which may be painful or itchy, begin as small, flat spots (macules), which later develop into raised spots (papules), fluid-filled vesicles, and eventually scabs.

Authorities recommend vaccination for at-risk groups—adults with multiple unprotected sexual partners, those with sexually transmitted infections, or those on HIV preventative treatment; men who have sex with men; and healthcare professionals or scientists in contact with the virus—and their close contacts. The vaccine used is a third-generation vaccine designed to prevent classic smallpox, which is genetically similar and is effective for prevention. The vaccination schedule consists of two doses and must be completed to achieve adequate protection.