The Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging citizens to take necessary precautions against Mpox after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern.
The island has recorded over 20 cases of the disease in 2023.
What is Mpox?
Previously known as monkeypox, Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin interactions, and even talking or breathing in close proximity to an infected person.
Mpox is caused by the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses that cause smallpox. Though it is not related to chickenpox, it shares similarities with smallpox, particularly in the rash it causes. The rash progresses through various stages, including scabbing, before eventually healing. The disease is primarily zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans. Endemic to Central and West Africa, the virus is found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals native to these regions.
First identified in humans in 1970 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mpox remained largely confined to Central and West Africa for decades. However, in 2022, the virus began spreading globally, with cases reported in Europe, North America, and beyond. The WHO previously declared Mpox a global health emergency in July 2022, only to end that declaration in May 2023. The recent resurgence, however, has prompted renewed concern.
Two types
There are two known clades, or strains, of the Monkeypox virus: clade I and clade II. Clade I, which is endemic to Central Africa, is more severe and has been known to cause death in up to 10% of infected individuals in some outbreaks. More recent outbreaks, however, have had lower mortality rates. Clade II, the strain responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022, is less severe, with a survival rate exceeding 99.9%. This clade is endemic to West Africa.
Alarmingly, Sweden recently reported its first case of the more dangerous clade I outside Africa, marking a significant development in the disease’s spread. The individual is believed to have contracted the virus while traveling in an African region currently experiencing a major outbreak of Mpox clade I.
Jamaica issues warning
In light of these developments, Jamaica’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie, has issued a stern warning. “Persons must report to the health department if fever and rash occur following recent international travel or close contact with persons who traveled within the preceding three weeks,” she advised. Dr. Bisasor McKenzie also emphasized that healthcare workers should maintain heightened vigilance and promptly report any suspected cases to the parish health department.
Mpox’s incubation period typically ranges from six to 13 days, but it can extend from five to 21 days. Symptoms, which can vary from mild to severe, include fever, chills, intense headaches, exhaustion, backache, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash that may be itchy or painful. While the disease is often self-limiting, with symptoms usually resolving within 14 to 21 days, severe cases can be fatal. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes.
As the global community grapples with this renewed threat, the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging all citizens to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others from Mpox.
