While visiting the Paddock, Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain to get his second booster shot today (Friday 20th May 2022), Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said he is paying attention to the global increase in cases of Monkeypox. Speaking with Newsday about possible cases of Monkeypox in the Caribbean and specifically in Trinidad and Tobago, Minister Deyalsingh said the issue has been discussed and he is concerned. “I just had an emergency meeting Thursday morning with the Health Team headed by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram, Epidemiologist Dr. Avery Hinds, Primary Medical Officer Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards, the vaccination team, and representatives from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),” he said. The Minister added, “We must not take this lightly, which is why we had an emergency meeting today and will give more details today at 3pm.” No suspected case(s) have been reported in the country at this time. What is Monkeypox and where did it originate?
Monkeypox, which is an extremely rare disease and a cousin of Smallpox, got its name in 1958 when “two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the main disease carrier of Monkeypox is still unknown, although “African rodents are suspected to play a part in transmission,” the agency said. The first known case of Monkeypox in people was “recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate Smallpox,” the CDC said. After forty (40) years with no reported cases, Monkeypox re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017, the CDC said. Since then, there have been more than 450 reported cases in Nigeria and at least eight (8) known exported cases internationally, the agency said. Monkeypox is mostly found in West and Central Africa, but additional cases have been seen in Europe, including the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world in recent years. Those cases are typically linked to international travel or imported animals infected with the pox, the CDC said. Where are the current cases of Monkeypox? So far, cases of Monkeypox have been detected in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal. The first case was reported only a few days ago, on 7th May 2022. A case of Monkeypox was reported Wednesday (18th May 2022) in a patient hospitalized in Massachusetts who had recently traveled to Canada in private transportation. On Thursday (19th May 2022), Spain confirmed seven (7) cases of Monkeypox in Madrid and are investigating another twenty-two (22); Italy confirmed its first case; and Canadian Public Health Officials announced they are investigating seventeen (17) suspected cases of Monkeypox in Montreal. Meanwhile, several cases of Monkeypox in the United Kingdom among people who have no known travel or contact with others with the virus, have Health Officials there and at the CDC concerned. What are the initial symptoms of Monkeypox? There is an incubation period of some seven (7) to fourteen (14) days, the CDC said. Initial symptoms are typically flu-like, such as fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness, followed by swelling in the lymph nodes, which help the body fight infection and disease. “A feature that distinguishes infection with Monkeypox from that of Smallpox is the development of swollen lymph nodes,” the CDC said. Next comes a widespread rash on the face and body, including inside the mouth and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The painful, raised poxes are pearly and fluid-filled, often surrounded by red circles. The lesions finally scab over and resolve over a period of two (2) to three (3) weeks, the CDC said. “Treatment is generally supportive as there are no specific drugs available. However, a vaccine is available that can be given to prevent the development of disease,” Jimmy Whitworth, Professor of International Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said in a statement. How is Monkeypox spread? Close contact with an infected individual is required for the spread of the Monkeypox virus, experts say. Infection can develop after exposure to “broken skin, mucous membranes, respiratory droplets, infected body fluids or even contact with contaminated linen,” Neil Mabbott, Personal Chair in Immunopathology at the Veterinary School of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, said in a statement. Is there a Monkeypox vaccine? There is no specific Monkeypox vaccine, but vaccination against Smallpox — a closely related virus — has been shown to protect against the disease. Data from Africa suggests that the Smallpox vaccine is at least 85% effective at preventing Monkeypox, according to the CDC. Vaccination soon after exposure might also help prevent the disease or make it less severe. Routine Smallpox vaccination has not occurred in the U.S. since the disease was eradicated in 1972, although there is a National stockpile. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Sources: Newsday | CNN] 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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