MoH does not anticipate many monkeypox cases – Dr Anthony

Even with the confirmed presence of Monkeypox among the local population, the Health Ministry does not anticipate a large volume of cases in Guyana.
On Monday, Guyana confirmed its first case of Monkeypox. That person has since been isolated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, from whence he is expected to be discharged in two weeks.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday said that with the COVID-19 pandemic still a valid situation to address, authorities are also on the lookout for cases in which there is a combination of both Monkeypox and the novel coronavirus. However, this combination is very rare.
“Any infection, if it is prolonged in that person’s body, can cause changes and can make that patient more complicated to manage. The physician would have to take these things into consideration. Monkeypox is relatively rare, we only have one case in Guyana,” Dr Anthony explained.
He added, “We don’t expect a lot of cases, and therefore you wouldn’t see monkeypox in a combination of COVID. However, we would be on the lookout for such combinations, and if they do occur, the doctors would come up with the appropriate ways of treating.”
Dr Anthony contended that any underlying illness a person has, chronic or infectious, puts them at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 complications.
“Anybody with an underlying illness can have a more complicated form of COVID. That is why we keep saying: ‘If you have a chronic disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or whatever it is, then your system is more vulnerable’. Apart from these chronic non-communicable diseases, you also have infectious diseases”, he explained.
A committee of specialists has been established, and persons can go to them to seek guidance and information should they suspect they have contracted the disease.
“If they have any doubt, they can call this committee or response team, that would aid them in making that diagnosis. Of course, we have to take samples from the patients, and once we take those samples, we send those to the lab,” he relayed.
Monkeypox would appear as a rash. Once infected, a person can spend from seven to 21 days in incubation before the symptoms manifest. The acute skin rash may be present with maculopapular (flat-based lesions) to vesicles (fluid-filled blisters), pustules, and subsequent crusting affecting the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet and the rest of the body.
It may be accompanied by headache, acute onset of fever, myalgia, back pain, asthenia and lymphadenopathy.
Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.