THA Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr Faith BYisrael says a “robust and proactive approach” is being undertaken to prevent an outbreak of monkeypox (mpox) in Tobago.
She also confirmed there are no mpox cases on the island at present.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement that a second case had been identified by laboratory testing. It said the patient was a young adult male. The country’s first case was recorded on July 11.
The statement said the relevant county medical officer is doing an epidemiological investigation and has started a local public health response, which includes home isolation and contact tracing for the patient.
On Thursday, BYisrael convened a meeting with key stakeholders from the Division of Health and the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA), to address the “unfolding Mpox situation in the country,” the division’s communications unit said in a release.
It said the meeting focused on case identification, isolation/quarantine protocols, treatment, vaccination and education.
The division added that planning for the threat of mpox began last year when the outbreak started and cases were identified in neighbouring Caribbean islands.
It said protocols for healthcare providers, businesses, tourism stakeholders and Port Health, which were developed last year, were reviewed.
“These are being updated and will be rolled out to provide the most effective public health response for the island,” the division said.
It also quoted BYisrael as saying, “A robust and proactive approach is being taken with a focus on infection prevention and control. Sensitisation of the general public was done a year ago with respect to Mpox but now that TT has recorded two cases within two days, we will be ramping up our response to this viral infection.”
Mpox was declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization on July 23, 2022, after a multi-country outbreak of the disease.
Common symptoms of monkeypox:
Rash, fever sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
People experiencing any of these symptoms and who believe they have been exposed to someone with monkeypox are urged to visit their nearest healthcare professional or call 800-HEAL (4325) toll-free.
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