Monkeypox: Health authorities alerted at Guyana-Brazil border – CMO

To prevent cases of monkeypox from coming in through Guyana’s porous border with Brazil, health officials have been alerted to avoid any potential spread.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh shared that since there are some 39 crossing points, including the Takutu Bridge, there is need to strengthen systems along the border.
“We know the border at Brazil is very, very porous. There are about 39 crossing points so we have alerted the healthcare providers in those areas that if they see persons coming over, to activate the system. It’s really increasing awareness and once there is a suspected case, to report the case to the Ministry of Health,” Dr Singh contended.
The CMO shared that enhanced awareness was activated at both the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Ogle International Airport. However, the disease can only be detected if persons present with lesions.
“You wouldn’t know if someone had monkeypox unless they were presented with lesions. What we’re doing is putting up posters at the ports of entry to alert persons that should they present with it, they should report to the authorities. Somebody could come in with lesions and they have long sleeve shirts and not report it. So, the thing is to sensitise persons at the airport.”
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 dace, palms of the hand, soles of the feet and the rest of the body.
It may be accompanied with 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 and contaminated materials such as bedding.
Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. It is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing.
In May 2022, several countries where monkeypox is not endemic reported cases, including some countries in the Americas. Then in July 2022, the WHO Director General declared the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Two persons, a man and woman, have contracted the disease respectively in Guyana. They were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital for treatment and both persons are stable. These cases were said to be unrelated.
Presently, antiretroviral treatment is used but it is not widely available around the world. Guyana has made attempts to procure some smallpox vaccines through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). These are manufactured by Bavarian Nordic but demand is at its peak. (G12)