Local authorities in San Lorenzo, Argentina, are closely monitoring a grain transport ship, the Ina Lotte, which has been quarantined due to a suspected monkeypox case among its crew. The ship, flagged under Liberia, has been anchored in the Rio del Paraná since its arrival from Brazil. Alejandro Cabral, Chief of Staff of San Lorenzo, confirmed that the crew member displaying symptoms is a native of Sri Lanka, with tests conducted to ascertain whether he is infected with the virus that has raised alarms globally.
The Ina Lotte embarked on its journey from the North Atlantic on July 12, making stops in various ports including Russia, the Netherlands, and Brazil before reaching Argentine waters. The ship entered the Río de la Plata on Tuesday and was targeted for health evaluations after a crew member exhibited a skin rash, prompting immediate action from health authorities. Cabral emphasized that only one crew member is suspected of having the virus, and the rest of the crew is not considered at risk at this time.
In a related development, Argentina confirmed its ninth case of monkeypox in Rosario. The patient, who returned from Spain, is unrelated to the suspected case on the Ina Lotte. Health officials have reported that the monkeypox virus is still a concern, especially after the World Health Organization declared it an international public health emergency last week. The new strain of the virus poses a heightened risk, although it has not yet been detected in Argentina.
- The situation surrounding the **Ina Lotte** highlights the ongoing challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases, especially in the context of global travel. Since the first confirmed case of monkeypox in Argentina in 2022, the country has seen a total of 1,158 cases and two fatalities. The recent surge in cases, particularly among travelers, underscores the importance of vigilant health monitoring and rapid response protocols.
- As health authorities await the test results from the **Ina Lotte**, the crew remains quarantined, with no disembarkation allowed until it is confirmed whether the suspected case is indeed infected. This incident serves as a reminder of the potential health risks associated with international shipping and travel, and the need for robust health surveillance systems to manage these risks effectively.
