At the Hospital Donostia in San Sebastián On Tuesday, 6 October 2026, a 61-year-old man with an underlying cancer died at Mpox (formerly “monkeypox”, Spanish viruela del mono) was confirmed by laboratory tests. This was confirmed by the Departamento de Salud of the Basque regional government and the hospital management. According to current information, infection may have occurred in the hospital: the deceased had shared a room for a time with someone whose infection was not initially known. This possible chain of transmission is being investigated.
Those responsible emphasise that the exact cause of death has not yet been established. The man was immunosuppressed, so it is unclear whether Mpox directly caused his death or worsened his clinical course. The Infectious Diseases Department of the hospital and the public health service are coordinating the investigation into the cause of death and the route of transmission.
Contact tracing and precautionary measures are also under way. According to sources at the hospital, potentially exposed people – including patients and staff – are being informed and medically monitored. Vaccination has been offered to close contacts. The observation period is 21 days, in line with standard guidelines. Osakidetza, the Basque public health service, said it would provide information on the results of the investigations.
The central question in the investigation now under way is whether nosocomial transmission occurred. Such investigations follow an established process: possible times and places of contact are compared with clinical courses and laboratory findings, and isolation and hygiene protocols are reviewed. The aim is to document the sequence of events clearly and, where necessary, adjust organisational measures.
Mpox is a rare orthopoxvirus infection, usually associated with fever, headaches and muscle aches, as well as characteristic skin and mucous membrane lesions. In the general population, the illness is usually mild; severe cases occur mainly in people with weakened immune systems or significant pre-existing conditions. Vaccines and post-exposure measures are available for exposed or particularly vulnerable groups and are administered according to established criteria.
Authorities in Gipuzkoa advise seeking medical advice if relevant symptoms appear and avoiding close physical contact until the situation has been assessed. They also stress that the risk to the general population remains low. The final assessment of the cause of death and the suspected nosocomial transmission remains subject to ongoing clinical and epidemiological investigations.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).