Source: Loop Caribbean
The Ministry of Health in Antigua and Barbuda has announced a decisive move to fortify the nation’s defences against the potential threat of Mpox.
In a statement released today, the Ministry outlined “a multistakeholder approach to increase surveillance at the ports of entry and at health care facilities across the country” to prevent the introduction of the virus.
This action comes in the wake of the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Mpox a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.
Responding swiftly to this global alert, the Minister of Health, Molwyn Joseph, convened an emergency meeting with the Health Disaster Executive of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment (MOHWSTE) on August 15.
The Health Disaster Executive, a body formed before the COVID-19 pandemic, is tasked with overseeing and coordinating responses to health emergencies and disasters in Antigua and Barbuda.
Comprised of senior officials within the MOHWSTE, the executive engaged with a broad spectrum of stakeholders during the emergency meeting.
Led by the Minister of Health, the gathering included the Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Permanent Secretaries, Medical Officers of Health, Principal Nursing Officer, Public Health Nurse Epidemiologist, and other key health officials.
Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, Department of Immigration, Customs and Excise Division, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, and the Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Services.
In addition to heightened surveillance measures, the Ministry confirmed that the “laboratory of Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre is equipped to conduct diagnostic testing of suspected cases, should the need arise.”
The Ministry also provided vital information about Mpox, describing it as “a disease caused by the monkeypox virus which is similar to the smallpox virus.”
Symptoms typically include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, back pain, and fatigue. The public is urged to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing these symptoms.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects, and can also be transmitted from mother to unborn child.
Whilst there is no specific treatment for Mpox, prevention is crucial. The Ministry advises the public “that frequent handwashing, and routine wet cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces may prevent infection.”