ANYONE experiencing symptoms of the Monkeypox virus is should seek immediate medical care.
Some of the main symptoms include fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.
The Ministry of Health on Friday held an emergency meeting with minister Terrence Delyalsingh, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram and his medical team and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative for T&T Dr Erica Wheeler to address reports of the virus in several overseas territories.
There are no suspected cases in Trinidad and Tobago at this time, the release stated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.”
The virus was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, which birthed the mane
About Monkeypox
The CDC stated the first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries
Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with contaminated material such as bedding.
However, it may also be transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids and respiratory droplets.
The ministry advised symptomatic persons with a recent travel history from any country where cases have been detected to please visit their nearest health care provider.
For a full view of the listed countries, visit please www.who.int/emergencies/
