A Region Four man in his mid-50’s with no recent travel history has been diagnosed with the country’s first case of monkey pox.
The diagnosis was confirmed today after the man showed up at a hospital with all of the signs and symptoms of the disease which was recently declared a world health emergency.
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said the patient has since been isolated at the Lilliendaal Hospital.
“The person had all the signs and symptoms of monkey pox and we have been able to confirm that by using a PCR test to do the confirmatory diagnosis. So we now have our first case of monkey pox in Guyana and we have since isolated the patient and so that patient is now in an isolated area at the Ocean View hospital and that patient is stable and is doing very well. The persons who the patient was in contact with over this period, we have also spoken to them and they are right now in quarantine”, Dr. Anthony said.
According to the World Health Organisation, Monkeypox is caused by monkeypox virus and is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks.
It is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.
Additionally, Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.
The Minister of Health said local health authorities are well trained to detect, diagnose and treat the virus, noting that since the first outbreak was recorded globally a few months back, Guyana has been preparing to address the virus.
“I don’t want people to panic because monkeypox is not something that is readily transmissible. You have to be in very very close contact with that person and with the lesions on their skin and the liquid that come out of those lesions before you actually get sick. This is something I am sure that we continue managing it like we are doing right now, people will be safe”.
Pointing to other Caribbean countries that have recorded cases of the virus, the Health Minister said once the cases are managed properly, there will be minimal spread.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh said it is important to avoid contact with persons once you notice lesions on their skin.
“Transmission is by close contact and so if you know someone who is infected and might have lesions, just stay away from them and avoid contact with them”, Dr. Singh.
The Minister of Health said his Ministry will continue to monitor the one case and the persons who had close contact.
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