With health authorities confirming the country’s first monkeypox case, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) is warning residents not to drop their guard, particularly as the island faces the threat of the more transmissible COVID-19 BA4 and BA5 variants.
Public Relations Officer of BAMP Dr Stephanie Date advised on Sunday that citizens should continue to practise the successful public health strategies for this viral illness which have been used for COVID.
Dr Date said that in order to reduce the risk of monkeypox transmission, there should be an immediate identification and isolation of suspected cases, proper hand sanitization, respiratory hygiene, physical distancing and proper wearing of masks.
“These successful public health strategies, which are familiar to use, should be continued at this time as we simultaneously face this new illness and the threat of the more transmissible and immunity-evading COVID-19 Omicron variants, BA4 and BA5,” the BAMP PRO said in a statement.
“Therefore, it is important that we do not let our guard down and continue to be vigilant at this time. We advise the public to immediately report any suspected symptoms of monkeypox, or any contact with an individual showing signs or symptoms of this illness,” she stated.
Dr Date suggested that residents may make a report by calling the polyclinic nearest them, or a medical practitioner who would alert the public health authorities responsible for initiating appropriate contact tracing and isolation protocols.
Dr Date explained that monkeypox can be spread from person to person via respiratory droplets such as from coughing or sneezing or close contact, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, or sexual contact.
She pointed out that infectious individuals may also spread the virus by contaminating surfaces and objects including bedding and clothing when they have a rash.
“While most cases are mild, monkeypox can still cause discomfort and sickness. In rare cases, children, pregnant women, persons who have uncontrolled chronic diseases or compromised immune systems, may develop more severe complications from the disease. Exposure to someone infected with monkeypox will not lead to sickness immediately, but illness may develop within the incubation period of five to 21 days,” Dr Date cautioned.
She said symptoms of monkeypox also include high fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes (glands), which are accompanied by a characteristic rash that is sometimes pruritic (itchy).
“The monkeypox rash often appears first on the face and can also be found in areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, the eyes, mouth or genital regions. The rash may appear as flat lesions, which eventually become fluid-filled or pus-filled blisters. Persons may experience these symptoms for up to four weeks, and can be considered infectious until all lesions have crusted and scabs have flaked off to reveal new layers of skin,” The BAMP PRO explained. (EJ)
