In light of the worldwide pandemic of monkeypox, an infectious disease that can cause severe illness and even death, local authorities have increased their efforts to prevent the disease from spreading to Guyana.
Reporters were informed today by Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony that authorities have already made sure that some 270 medical professionals have received the necessary training to identify, manage, and stop the spread of monkeypox (mpox).
Dr. Anthony clarified that more healthcare professionals will be subjected to the training in the event of a local epidemic, even if there are no known cases in the nation.
Thus, the Health Minister said, “I think we are quite prepared.”
According to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), the outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and an increasing number of other African nations qualifies as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), as determined by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last month.
For almost a decade, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the source of reports of mpox, with an annual increase in cases observed throughout that time. The number of cases reported rose dramatically the previous year, and as of now, this year’s total—more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths—has surpassed that of the previous year.
Systems to screen visitors to Guyana have already been installed at ports of entry. Additionally, the nation has the required vaccinations.
