Hospital Universitario Donostia reports Mpox death after patient cross-infection

A 61-year-old cancer patient has died from Mpox after being infected by another patient while sharing a room at the Hospital Universitario Donostia in San Sebastián, Spain. The deceased was admitted in September for a laryngeal surgery following intensive cancer treatment.

The Basque Government’s Department of Health acknowledged that the patient’s advanced oncological condition and debilitating clinical state increased the risk of complications from infection. However, questions have been raised regarding hospital protocols, as the patient was placed in a shared room in the otorhinolaryngology area with another individual who was already showing infectious symptoms.

This death marks the seventh Mpox fatality in Spain since April 2022. In the current year, Spain has recorded 1,119 cases, representing a 28% increase compared to the previous year, with three deaths reported so far this year. Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the Orthopoxvirus genus, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and painful rashes. Transmission occurs primarily through close skin-to-skin contact, though it can also spread via contaminated objects or healthcare-related injuries.