Argentina has detected its first case of Mpox Clade Ib, a more contagious and severe variant of the monkeypox virus, as confirmed by the National Epidemiological Bulletin (BEN). According to a report seen by the Argentine News Agency (NA), the case was identified in a 31-year-old man residing in Buenos Aires with no history of travel, and his condition is improving after receiving outpatient care. The report also noted that as of 2026, five other cases of Clade II had been confirmed in the country (four in Buenos Aires and one in Río Negro), but it emphasized that Clade Ib is of greater severity and contagiosity. Therefore, it is crucial that jurisdictional health systems strengthen surveillance and care for the population following this first case. The emergence of Clade Ib in Argentina occurs amid global expansion, with 14 cases confirmed this year in the Americas, distributed across the United States (9 cases), Canada (2 cases), Brazil (2 cases), Mexico (1 case), and now Argentina (1 case), while community transmission has been documented in France, Portugal, and Spain. The Ministry of Health requests that jurisdictions increase suspicion of Mpox in patients presenting with umbilicated lesions or proctitis, swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, and sore throat, always inquiring about travel history or contact with travelers. Additionally, patient isolation is recommended until lesion crusts fall off and a new skin layer forms, and personal protective equipment must be used by all healthcare personnel involved in their care. Contact tracing must also begin within 24 hours of suspicion, with a 21-day follow-up to detect early symptoms.
