​Bogotá D.C., October 20, 2022. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection announced the progress in negotiations for a memorandum of understanding for the arrival of 25,000 doses of monkeypox vaccines.

This negotiation is part of a research project that several countries will conduct with the World Health Organization and, in addition, will allow expanding the care actions that it monitors in the country on this matter.

The general director of the National Institute of Health, Martha Ospina, explained that the cases continue to present a concentrated dynamic. Like other countries, in Colombia there is a slowdown in transmission and self-limitation of the disease.

The official reported that to date 3,110 cases have been confirmed, 99.3% of which have occurred in 18- to 48-year-old men. Of the total cases, 80% have already recovered without complications or subsequent scars and no deaths.

According to Clara Suárez, director of epidemiology and demography of the Ministry of Health, the first monkeypox case was confirmed on June 23 during epidemiological week 22; a peak of 444 cases was recorded in week 36 and since then the cases have declined with 168 cases in week 40.

Finally, as part of the care actions of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the guidelines for dealing with cases and recommendations for prevention were defined and launched last August, with the support of the Colombian Association of Infectious Diseases (ACIN) and the Federico Lleras Hospital.

The provision establishes the comprehensive management, biosafety, and mental health measures to be implemented in health service providers, companies administering benefit plans, as well as in homes, in the presence of a confirmed or suspected monkeypox case and the contacts, therefore guaranteeing the response with a differential approach.

The Ministry and the territorial entities continue their monitoring process and ensure that services are guaranteed for those who require it.