Last Updated on July 27, 2022, 5:11 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Chief Medical Officer Dr Hazel Laws of St Kitts and Nevis confirmed that there are no reported cases of Monkey pox in the twin-island Federation as of Monday, July 25, 2022. She added that there are no plans to restrict the movement of people or goods into the country.
In her national address earlier today, CMO Laws reported there were 16,000 confirmed cases of Monkey pox in over 75 countries. The list also included several Caribbean countries.
However, she added that Monkey pox is “much harder to transmit than the COVID-19 virus,” and there is no need to panic.
“Based on WHO’s (World Health Organization) assessment, the threat of exposure to monkey pox is considered moderate,” Dr Laws stated. “Based on the latest recommendations of the Pan American Health Organization and the Caribbean Public Health Agency regarding Monkey pox, there should be no restrictions on the entry of persons or imported goods from any country at this time.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Hazel Laws informed the public that the Ministry of Health had strengthened its surveillance system of epidemiological disease to ensure that potential cases of Monkey pox could be identified speedily and contained to reduce its spread.
Common symptoms of Monkey pox include fever or chills, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and lethargy (exhaustion). Some patients experience skin rashes resembling pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth and other body parts. The inflammation goes through distinct stages before healing completely. Monkey pox can last from two weeks up to a month.
The virus can be spread through close, intimate contact with an active case by touching recently contaminated objects, droplet respiratory particles after prolonged face-to-face contact, and mother-to-child transmission through pregnancy. Suspected cases are encouraged to self-isolate at home and notify public health officials or a private medical physician.
The WHO declared Monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern on July 23, 2022. “The Ministry of Health will continue to be vigilant for the importation of this virus and any other communicable disease, and the people of the Federation will be updated accordingly,” Dr Laws assured.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
