Argentina quarantines ship after seafarer exhibits mpox symptoms

The country's health ministry said in a statement that an Indian national serving aboard the unnamed Liberian-flagged grain carrier had "cyst-like skin lesions predominantly on the chest and face."

Officials then quarantined the ship, which was near the inland port of Rosario in the Parana River at the time. The affected individual has also been placed in isolation on board the ship to prevent infections among the rest of the crew.

During the quarantine period, only authorised medical personnel will be allowed to board the ship to assess the affected crewmember. Additional testing will also need to be conducted to confirm whether the individual has indeed contracted Mpox.

The ship, initially headed for San Lorenzo Port in Santa Fe province, is currently anchored in the river.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the latest Mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern following an upsurge of cases in countries in Africa.