MINISTRY OF HEALTH URGES VIGILANCE FOLLOWING THE IDENTIFICATION OF A NEW, HIGHLY-TRANSMISSIBLE STRAIN.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs informs the public of the recent declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024. This declaration follows the identification of a new, highly transmissible strain, Clade 1, which has been associated with more severe illness.
This urgent announcement comes in response to the increasing spread of Mpox cases across several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring nations such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The newly discovered Clade 1 strain of Mpox demonstrates higher transmissibility compared to Clade 2, raising significant global concern.
Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs underscored the gravity of the current situation by reflecting on the broader global impact. "WHO previously declared Mpox a global public health emergency in July 2022 and ended that declaration in May 2023 after a progressive decrease in cases. Since then, a total of 99,176 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox, including 208 deaths, have been reported globally from 116 countries."
Mpox is a zoonotic disease, transmitted from animals to humans, and can also spread from human to human through direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, respiratory droplets, or contaminated objects. The incubation period for Mpox ranges from 5 to 21 days.
She further noted that as of June 2024, the global spread of Mpox continues to be monitored closely. "33,191 Mpox cases have been recorded in the United States of America, 1,553 cases in Canada, and 3,952 cases in the United Kingdom. To date, there have been no recorded cases of Mpox in Saint Lucia. The current risk to the Caribbean population from Mpox Clade 1 is low to moderate," stated Dr. Sharon Belmar-George.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs urges the public to remain vigilant and adhere to the following guidelines to reduce the risk of infection:
- Limit contact with individuals showing symptoms of Mpox, including painful unusual rashes or lesions, fever, headaches, muscle aches, backaches, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms can last for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water and use hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable.
- If you experience symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has Mpox, visit your nearest health center or emergency room for management and Mpox diagnostic testing, which is available in-country.
- Avoid contact with contaminated materials used by sick persons.
To date, two vaccines have been approved by WHO-listed national regulatory authorities for the prevention of Mpox. While vaccination is crucial in controlling the spread, it is currently recommended for close contacts of confirmed cases and travelers to affected areas in Africa rather than for mass vaccination campaigns.
The Ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates as more information becomes available. We encourage the public to follow updates from the Ministry for the latest information and health alerts.