Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s virtual Press Conference yesterday (Wednesday 27th July 2022), Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram confirmed that anyone testing positive for the Monkeypox virus will have to quarantine for twenty-one (21) days.
Dr. Parasram said based on the known characteristics of the virus, there is an incubation period of five (5) to twenty-one (21) days. Therefore, the recommended quarantine period is approximately twenty-one (21) days. He noted the Ministry’s protocol for close contact of a confirmed Monkeypox case is self-isolation at home, which is a practice used worldwide. County Medical Officers of Health (CMOH) will, however, have discretion in determining the isolation requirements. The Ministry will isolate any cases picked up at a Port of entry at its facilities, to prevent them from spreading the disease to the population. As for the treatment of Monkeypox, Dr. Parasram said Doctors will tend to the various symptoms exhibited by infected patients. He noted that the Ministry is continuing bilateral talks to acquire an antiviral drug for the treatment of the virus, which is becoming available. The CMO said, “In terms of the treatment, generally speaking, it is symptomatic relief, so we use medication to control the fever. For example, making sure persons are well hydrated. If you reach the stage of Encephalitis, of course, supportive care in Hospital is required, for which we have the capacity at Caura, which is the designated facility at this point.” Also speaking at yesterday’s Press Conference, Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, confirmed the Ministry has already designated the Caura Hospital to treat Monkeypox patients. He states that there will be no mixing of COVID-19 and Monkeypox patients at any facility. He said he had spoken to Tobago House of Assembly Secretary of the Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection, Dr. Faith B. Yisrael, to dedicate a facility suitable to quarantine Monkeypox patients if Health Officials detect a case on the island. Minister Deyalsingh said, at this time, there is no consideration of travel restrictions. A meeting was convened by the Ministry on 30th May 2022 with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), to discuss T&T’s response to the global spread of Monkeypox. Minister Deyalsingh said the Ministry saw Monkeypox as a threat in which the country needed to prepare for and they did not want to wait until finding a suspected or confirmed case before launching a response. Preparations were started by the Ministry since 20th May 2022, by seeking Cabinet approval to have Monkeypox listed as a dangerous infectious disease, which allows the Government to use the Quarantine Act and Public Health Regulations to implement measures to protect the public. The Health Minister said the Ministry simultaneously started building capacity for testing and training on epidemiological surveillance and raising awareness. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Monkeypox a global health emergency on 23rd July 2022, recommending that countries strengthen a co-ordinated international response to slow transmission and protect vulnerable groups. Based on WHO recommendations, Minister Deyalsingh explained that countries fell into various groups. T&T falls into Group 1: countries with no history of Monkeypox in the human population or which did not detect a case for over twenty-one (21) days. He said Group 1 members have nine (9) action items to implement and confirmed the Ministry has wisely implemented all nine (9) action items, establishing health and multi-sectoral mechanisms, no stigmatisation and discrimination policies, and intensified epidemiological disease surveillance and detection capabilities. “We are as in a good place as any based on WHO’s Group 1 recommendations. Then you move on to Group 2. We are not in Group 2 as yet,” he noted. Group 2 includes States or parties with recently imported cases of Monkeypox in the human population or otherwise experiencing human-to-human transmission, including in key population groups and communities at high risk of exposure. Monkeypox testing is available at CARPHA and the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory. [Source: T&T Guardian] We are a small operation. If you've found our articles to be informative, please consider supporting us via PayPal or buying us a coffee. Your contribution is incredibly appreciated and goes a long way. Simply sharing our articles also helps us. Sign up for our free WhatsApp Alerts to be notified as soon as we post breaking news. NEW! Check out our Merchandise Store for high-quality t-shirts, hats and more!
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