Guyana guarding against imported cases of Monkeypox, health officials at all ports of entry

“I think it is good to put out information so people can be alerted and it is also helpful because if people see lesions they can come into us.

“When we put out information last year people came to us but they weren’t monkeypox cases but it was good that they were able to come in and check and put their minds at ease

“We have the capabilities to test and diagnose and to treat and we have persons with the expertise to do so,” Dr Anthony added.

Last Thursday, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Narine Singh said that Guyana is still awaiting the delivery of 1,800 Monkeypox vaccines it ordered via the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in September last year.

A 57-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a woman in her 30s, were infected with the virus here in August of last year. The patients were isolated and the local health authorities started the process of contact tracing and testing. The pair were eventually deemed non-infectious and sent home from the hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of July 4, 2023, 88,144 Monkeypox cases have been detected globally amongst 112 countries and there has been a total of 149 deaths.

The virus can range from mild disease to severe illness and is spread through close contact or through respiratory droplets.