QUITO, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador reported 43 new confirmed cases of monkeypox on Wednesday, bringing the country's total confirmed cases to 185.
Of the 185 patients, 67 have been discharged from hospital, while the epidemiological fence for 308 contacts is maintained, the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement.
Sixteen Ecuadorian provinces have been affected by monkeypox, with Pichincha, Guayas and Azuay ranking top with 63, 61 and 19 cases respectively.
The health ministry has maintained surveillance throughout the South American country and taken prevention and control actions, calling on Ecuadorians to use masks in certain places and go to the nearest health centers in case of showing symptoms.
Ecuador confirmed its first monkeypox case on July 6 in the city of Guayaquil, capital of the southwestern province of Guayas.
