Argentina Quarantines Ship Over Mpox Case

Argentine authorities have quarantined a cargo ship in the Parana River following a suspected case of mpox onboard. The government reported that a crew member of Indian nationality exhibited cyst-like skin lesions, prompting the activation of public health emergency protocols. The vessel, which was en route to the San Lorenzo port in Santa Fe province, has been anchored while the crew undergoes quarantine and testing. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, as a new variant of the virus has been spreading rapidly in Africa. The emergence of the clade 1b variant has raised alarms, particularly after its first confirmed case outside Africa was reported in Sweden. Argentina has previously documented eight cases of mpox, but none involved the clade 1b strain. The quarantined ship, flagged in Liberia, was traveling from Santos, Brazil, to collect soy cargo. Only medical personnel will be permitted to board the vessel while the entire crew remains isolated until test results are available. Mpox, characterized by pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is generally mild but can be fatal in some cases. As concerns grow over the spread of mpox, approximately 13 countries in the Americas have reported cases linked to other strains this year. In response, Danish company Bavarian Nordic is considering increasing vaccine production, while Roche is looking to enhance its laboratory testing capabilities.