Crew Member on Quarantined Argentine Ship Tests Negative for Mpox, Positive for Chicken Pox

Health officials in Argentina reported on Wednesday that a crew member on a quarantined grains cargo ship tested negative for the mpox virus. The crew member, an Indian national, had developed cyst-like skin lesions while working on the ship near the river port city of Rosario. As a precaution, authorities had quarantined the ship in the Parana River. The health ministry confirmed the individual tested negative for mpox but positive for chicken pox.

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to a new variant spreading rapidly in Africa. Shortly after, a case of the clade 1b variant was confirmed in Sweden, marking its first appearance outside of Africa. This highlights the importance of monitoring and containing infectious diseases to prevent further spread and protect global health.

The incident underscores the need for stringent health measures and protocols in the shipping industry to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. With the global interconnectedness of trade routes, it is crucial for authorities to remain vigilant and proactive in detecting and managing potential health risks onboard ships. The negative test result for mpox is a relief, but the positive result for chicken pox serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of infectious diseases in maritime settings.

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