Monkeypox can cause acute myocarditis

Monkeypox can cause, among other things, heart problems, something that was revealed by the case of a 31-year-old man in Portugal who developed acute myocarditis about a week after the first symptoms of monkeypox.

The scientists, led by Dr Ana Isabel Pinho of the Department of Cardiology at the Medical Centre of the Portuguese University of São João, published the paper in the American College of Cardiology’s journal JACC: Case Reports.

When it was first diagnosed in Europe

Monkeypox is caused by a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox. It was first diagnosed in Europe in May 2022, while cases have also been reported in the USA and other non-endemic (African) countries worldwide, with their total number gradually increasing. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle usually caused by a viral infection.

This patient presented to hospital five days after the onset of symptoms, which included fatigue, myalgia, fever and multiple rashes on the face, hands and genitals. Three days later, the patient developed heavy weight in his chest and left arm, was admitted to the intensive care unit and medical tests confirmed that he had acute myocarditis. The patient was discharged a week later, having made a full recovery.

“This case highlights the heart problems as a possible complication related to monkeypox infection,” said Pinho, noting the need for the issue to be studied further.

Most monkeypox infections show however mild symptoms that can last for about two to four weeks. At present, vaccination is only recommended for people who have been exposed – definitely or probably – to the virus.