With the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring Mpox as a Public Health Emergency, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) today said there is need for heightened awareness in the region and a unified and proactive approach.
Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus that can spread through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials.
The current outbreak has shown a rapid increase in cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries, with the potential for further spread globally.
Although the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has reported no cases of mpox clade 1b in the Caribbean Community to date, CARICOM believes enhanced surveillance for rapid identification of possible cases is essential to ensure the safety and health security of citizens.
In a statement today, Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, who is the current Chairman of CARICOM urged citizens of the region to remain alert by staying informed through updates from CARPHA and local health authorities regarding mpox and its transmission.
He said it is important to be vigilant for any unusual rashes or lesions, especially if individuals have a travel history to areas with reported cases of mpox and seek immediate medical attention if signs or symptoms are detected.
Additionally, reporting any suspicious cases to local health authorities is a critical step in allowing for further epidemiological investigation, the CARICOM Chairman said.
It was also noted that the CARICOM Secretariat will work with CARPHA to ensure a well-coordinated regional and international response.
Guyana is among a number of CARICOM countries that have started to put systems in place to address any possible case of Mpox.
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