Four months after his death, Jalisco health authorities have confirmed that a 32-year-old man from Guadalajara with advanced HIV status died from the monkeypox virus, known as Mpox. This is the first death from this disease in the state, raising the epidemiological alert in the region.
Jalisco Health Secretary Héctor Raúl Pérez Gómez reported that the victim had initially been considered a case related to HIV complications. However, after a series of clinical and epidemiological studies, it was determined that Mpox was the determining factor in his death.
“Confirmation took time due to the complexity of the case, but now we can definitively establish the cause,” explained Pérez Gómez.
According to the Federal Epidemiological Bulletin, Jalisco has accumulated 66 confirmed cases of monkeypox so far in 2025, ranking it the state with the second highest number of infections, behind only Mexico City.
Authorities have strengthened monitoring protocols for immunosuppressed patients and vulnerable populations, as Mpox can be fatal in people with weakened immune systems.
What is Mpox and how is it transmitted?
Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, related to the smallpox virus. Although its mortality rate is much lower, its international spread in recent years has triggered global health alerts.
Modes of transmission:
Direct contact with injuries, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials
Exposure to prolonged respiratory secretions
Sexual intercourse or close physical contact
Contact with infected animals (such as rodents or primates)
Person-to-person transmission is the main current risk, especially in settings where the outbreak is not detected early.
Symptoms and risk groups
Symptoms of Mpox usually appear between 5 and 21 days after exposure and last between 2 and 4 weeks. The main warning signs include:
Fever and severe headache
Muscle and back pain
Swollen lymph nodes
Skin rash with pustules that begin on the face
Chills, extreme fatigue, and malaise
Although most cases are mild and self-limiting, at-risk groups—such as children, immunosuppressed individuals, and pregnant women—can experience serious complications, as in the recent confirmed case in Jalisco.
What measures does the Ministry of Health recommend?
The Jalisco Ministry of Health called on the population to:
Avoid close contact with sick people
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
Disinfect personal items and commonly used surfaces
See a doctor if you experience suspicious symptoms, especially if you have a compromised immune system
Epidemiological surveillance remains active, and early detection systems in hospitals and clinics have been strengthened, especially in high-risk populations.
A warning that should not go unheeded
The confirmation of this death from Mpox in Jalisco marks a turning point in the state’s healthcare system. Although the virus has had a limited presence in Mexico, the emergence of severe cases in people with HIV or other comorbidities underscores the urgent need for medical surveillance, prevention, and public health education.
Source: msn
