Monkeypox (Mpox) is a viral zoonosis transmitted mainly through direct contact with infected lesions, including during sexual intercourse, as well as through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contaminated objects or animals. Clinical manifestations may include rash or skin lesions, lymphadenopathy, fever, headache, myalgia, chills, and asthenia. Since May 2022, Brazil has monitored and responded to cases through epidemiological surveillance. This study aims to describe confirmed Mpox cases in Santa Catarina (SC) from 2022 to 2024. Ecological, retrospective, descriptive study using data from SINAN, provided by Santa Catarina’s Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate (DIVE/SC). Variables analyzed included municipality of residence, sex, age group, race/color, sexual orientation, and reported intimate contact. Associations between variables were tested using Fisher’s exact test in Jamovi software. From 2022 to 2024, 2,922 notifications and 508 confirmed Mpox cases were recorded in SC. Florianópolis accounted for 189 of these cases (37.2%). There was a statistically significant association between sex and age group (p<0.001), with predominance among young men. The 20–29 age group represented 29.85% of confirmed cases. A significant association was also found between race/color and year of notification (p = 0.008), with predominance of white individuals in 2022 (66.03%) and a more heterogeneous distribution in subsequent years. There was no association (p=0.111) between sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and other) and reported intimate contact. The results reinforce the need for strategies targeted to the main affected group, especially young white men, for Mpox surveillance and control. In SC, response actions include intensified case identification and isolation and educational campaigns focused on preventive measures such as hand hygiene and reducing close contact. Coordination with the Ministry of Health through the Mpox Situation Room is highlighted, as well as the role of DIVE/SC in the response and expansion of surveillance.
Silva et al. (Sun,) studied this question.