Health Archives - Barbados Today
UN health agency declares monkeypox a global emergency
SOURCE: AP — The World Health Organization said the expanding monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries is an “extraordinary” situation that now qualifies as a global emergency, a declaration Saturday that could spur further investment in treating the once-rare disease and worsen the scramble for scarce vaccines.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the decision to issue the declaration despite a lack of consensus among members of WHO’s emergency committee. It was the first time the chief of the U.N. health agency has taken such an action.
“In short, we have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly through new modes of transmission about which we understand too little and which meets the criteria in the international health regulations,” Tedros said.
“I know this has not been an easy or straightforward process and that there are divergent views among the members” of the committee, he added.
Although monkeypox has been established in parts of central and west Africa for decades, it was not known to spark large outbreaks beyond the continent or to spread widely among people until May, when authorities detected dozens of epidemics in Europe, North America and elsewhere.
Declaring a global emergency means the monkeypox outbreak is an “extraordinary event” that could spill over into more countries and requires a coordinated global response. WHO previously declared emergencies for public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, the Zika virus in Latin America in 2016 and the ongoing effort to eradicate polio.
The emergency declaration mostly serves as a plea to draw more global resources and attention to an outbreak. Past announcements had mixed impact, given that the U.N. health agency is largely powerless in getting countries to act.
Last month, WHO’s expert committee said the worldwide monkeypox outbreak did not yet amount to an international emergency, but the panel convened this week to reevaluate the situation.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 74 countries since about May. To date, monkeypox deaths have only been reported in Africa, where a more dangerous version of the virus is spreading, mainly in Nigeria and Congo.
In Africa, monkeypox mainly spreads to people from infected wild animals like rodents, in limited outbreaks that typically have not crossed borders. In Europe, North America and elsewhere, however, monkeypox is spreading among people with no links to animals or recent travel to Africa.
WHO’s top monkeypox expert, Dr. Rosamund Lewis, said this week that 99% of all the monkeypox cases beyond Africa were in men and that of those, 98% involved men who have sex with men. Experts suspect the monkeypox outbreaks in Europe and North America were spread via sex at two raves in Belgium and Spain.
Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at Southampton University, said it was surprising WHO hadn’t already declared monkeypox a global emergency, explaining that the conditions were arguably met weeks ago.
Some experts have questioned whether such a declaration would help, arguing the disease isn’t severe enough to warrant the attention and that rich countries battling monkeypox already have the funds to do so; most people recover without needing medical attention, although the lesions may be painful.
“I think it would be better to be proactive and overreact to the problem instead of waiting to react when it’s too late,” Head said. He added that WHO’s emergency declaration could help donors like the World Bank make funds available to stop the outbreaks both in the West and in Africa, where animals are the likely natural reservoir of monkeypox.
In the U.S., some experts have speculated whether monkeypox might be on the verge of becoming an entrenched sexually transmitted disease in the country, like gonorrhea, herpes and HIV.
“The bottom line is we’ve seen a shift in the epidemiology of monkeypox where there’s now widespread, unexpected transmission,” said Dr. Albert Ko, a professor of public health and epidemiology at Yale University. “There are some genetic mutations in the virus that suggest why that may be happening, but we do need a globally-coordinated response to get it under control,” he said.
Ko called for testing to be immediately scaled up rapidly, saying that similar to the early days of COVID-19, that there were significant gaps in surveillance.
“The cases we are seeing are just the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “The window has probably closed for us to quickly stop the outbreaks in Europe and the U.S., but it’s not too late to stop monkeypox from causing huge damage to poorer countries without the resources to handle it.”
In the U.S., some experts have speculated that monkeypox might become entrenched there as the newest sexually transmitted disease, with officials estimating that 1.5 million men are at high risk of being infected.
Dr. Placide Mbala, a virologist who directs the global health department at Congo’s Institute of National Biomedical Research, said he hoped any global efforts to stop monkeypox would be equitable. Although countries including Britain, Canada, Germany and the U.S. have ordered millions of vaccine doses, none have gone to Africa.
“The solution needs to be global,” Mbala said, adding that any vaccines sent to Africa would be used to target those at highest risk, like hunters in rural areas.
“Vaccination in the West might help stop the outbreak there, but there will still be cases in Africa,” he said. “Unless the problem is solved here, the risk to the rest of the world will remain.”
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2 years 8 months ago
A Slider, Health, World
Health Archives - Barbados Today
Top QEH official urges more resources for hospital as he moves on
The Director of Medical Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has parted ways with the institution while calling for a review of the operating structures that have been in place since the healthcare facility opened almost 58 years ago.
Dr Clyde Cave, who has been associated with the QEH for more than four decades, said on Wednesday that the country’s lone public hospital needs more resources.
“I think, first of all, [there needs to be] recognition that the institution is underresourced and structures which were put in place when we moved in in the 1960s need to be reconsidered and re-resourced.
“And when I say re-resourced, it’s not just finance – although that is part of it too – it’s human resource development. The quality of the doctors encompasses the human and professional side and not just the technical side,” Dr Cave, who declined to renew his contract, told Barbados TODAY as he responded to a question about what improvements he would like to see at the QEH which opened its doors in November 1964.
“I would [also] like to see the caring and bedside manner get a little bit more prominence than it seems to have taken on in recent times,” he further suggested.
Dr Cave, a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, explained why he decided to leave the hospital at this time.
“My mandatory retirement was coming up in January and having gotten through the bulk of COVID, it was time for long-range planning and somebody else to take on the responsibility. I figured now would be a good transition for them and certainly a well-deserved rest for me. The contract ended, so I just didn’t renew or extend for the six months to January. I am out of here,” said Dr Cave, who started at the QEH as a medical student in 1978.
The specialist also reflected on his tenure at the hospital, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The last two years I wasn’t working as a paediatrician, I was in administration. We all know there were extraordinary times and challenges with COVID across the world. The QEH was no exception, and when called on to help in any way, you respond. I think during that time we were able to stabilise the ship. QEH was the one who responded nationally through our isolation centre and so on. A lot of other countries failed,” he contended.
“Given the situation and our available resources, we did a very good job,” the senior medical practitioner declared.
He pointed out that while the hospital looks to recover from the insults of the COVID-19 pandemic and faces a new viral threat of Monkeypox, there is planning for what comes next.
Looking back at the highlights of his career at the QEH, Dr Cave identified his management of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as one.
“From the time I took over the NICU, we have seen a dramatic drop in the death rates. And I think that was due to services we implemented when we opened the NICU,” he said.
Dr Cave said that although he has left the QEH, he will continue to teach paediatrics at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, train nurses in paediatrics and human resource development through the Shaw Centre for Paediatric Excellence which he heads, and remain with the World Paediatric Project to share his expertise with other Caribbean neighbours.
He said many children in other parts of the region do not enjoy full health care benefits and with international assistance, they are brought to Barbados and given the necessary care.
“It’s a slowing down, but not a stopping. I will still be running my office,” Dr Cave told Barbados TODAY.
Dr Chaynie Williams is now Acting Director of Medical Services.
(emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)
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2 years 8 months ago
A Slider, Health, Local News
Health Archives - Barbados Today
CARPHA advises no travel restrictions over Monkeypox
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has advised against imposing restrictions on people arriving from any country as it closely monitors the spread of the Monkeypox virus.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has advised against imposing restrictions on people arriving from any country as it closely monitors the spread of the Monkeypox virus.
At the weekend, Barbados confirmed its first case of the virus which has been reported in 63 countries.
Minister of Health and Wellness Ian Gooding-Edghill said a Barbadian man in his 30s who recently flew into the island tested positive for the virus after he presented to the Sir Winston Scott Polyclinic.
Two other Caribbean countries, The Bahamas and Jamaica, have also confirmed cases of the virus.
“CARPHA is monitoring the spread of the monkeypox virus – looking at prevention and control. We have also commenced testing for the Monkeypox virus. At this time, CARPHA does not recommend restrictions on entry of persons from any country,” Executive Director of the Trinidad-based regional health agency Dr Joy St John said on Monday.
“Working alongside our member states, we will support activities and educate the public to protect the health of all within their borders.”
Dr St John urged member states to continue to remain on high alert for the importation of viral or other infections and monitor in-country syndromic surveillance systems for increases in fever and rash illnesses.
“We know that diseases do not recognise borders, and international travel makes us aware that no borders are secure from the threat of diseases, especially infectious ones. At this time, member states are in various stages of easing of restrictions for COVID-19 which severely impacted the region,” the CARPHA boss said.
Dr St John assured that the agency will continue to coordinate public health policy and work closely with member states and other public health partners to respond to public health issues.
“As part of our regional public health management, we provide assistance to member states through the development of tools for investigation and epidemiological monitoring, and personnel are prepared to respond in country to assist in the investigation and control of outbreak, should the need arise,” she said. (BT/PR)
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2 years 9 months ago
A Slider, Health, Local News
Health Archives - Barbados Today
BAMP urges increased vigilance in wake of local monkeypox case
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)
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2 years 9 months ago
Health Archives - Barbados Today
Study finds vaccine hesitancy in Barbados extends beyond COVID-19 jabs
There are indications that the vaccine hesitancy sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic could translate into Barbadian parents opting not to have their children immunised against other diseases in the future.
According to the early findings of an ongoing UNICEF study, parents have admitted that their decision on whether to give their children vaccines against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP), and Polio and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) could be influenced by the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
This, according to Social and Behavioural Change Specialist at UNICEF Dr Lisa McClean-Trotman and Minister of Health in Antigua and Barbuda Sir Molwyn Joseph, has the potential to roll back gains made in the region regarding those diseases.
The concerns were expressed against the background of preliminary findings from an ongoing study on Caribbean people’s perceptions about the vaccination of children, which UNICEF hopes will be completed by the end of August.
Barbados was one of six countries included in the study conducted by the Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES) for UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area, which sought to find out, among other things, how the discourse around COVID-19 vaccination has influenced persons’ likelihood to get themselves or their children vaccinated with other vaccines.
McClean-Trotman shared a bit of the study with regional journalists on Friday at a workshop in Antigua entitled Beyond COVID-19: The Children’s Story.
She said that as was the case across the Caribbean countries surveyed, there is some vaccine hesitancy in Barbados not only towards COVID-19 jabs but other vaccines.
McClean-Trotman said this had implications for Caribbean children’s right to health and overall immunisation coverage in the region.
The Antigua and Barbuda Health Minister expressed concern about this hesitancy, warning that if it is not addressed, some of the illnesses that have been eradicated in the region, such as measles and polio, could resurface.
“We have decades of evidence that all the vaccines taken by our children are safe and efficacious . . . but what we have now is a problem of vaccine hesitancy that started in COVID and is spreading,” Sir Molwyn said.
“Vaccines are used routinely in the Caribbean. Why are we now seeing a decline in the rate of compliance in the Caribbean? This is a very serious development . . . . This is a great threat. It might not appear so but if our children start coming down with measles and rubella and those things then you will understand.”
He said while children in other parts of the world were dying because they did not have access to vaccines, there was no such situation in the Caribbean, and he urged parents not to let disinformation about COVID-19 prevent them from getting their children immunised.
Meantime, addressing the participants, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area Heather Stewart highlighted that in addition to the much-discussed health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were also severe repercussions for the region’s children.
“The pandemic . . . is as much a social and economic threat as a health crisis, creating extremely challenging situations. In many respects it is a child rights crisis,” she said.
“The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the deep inequalities in our societies; millions of children across the world are still missing out on basic healthcare, cut off from education, and left without protection. Our region hasn’t escaped. Staggered school days shortened timetables and blended education – in a scenario where access to the internet is often limited – deprive many of a solid education,” Stewart added.
A recent UNICEF/World Bank/UNESCO report projected a staggering finding that two years of COVID-19 school closures in the region may have set learning outcomes back by more than a decade.
“The costs of the pandemic for children are immediate and, if unaddressed, may persist throughout their lives,” Stewart warned.
During Friday’s workshop organised by UNICEF and USAID, regional journalists learned from experts about the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children, including on their education and mental health. The media workers were provided with tips on tools for reporting on that impact.
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2 years 9 months ago
Health Archives - Barbados Today
BAMP advises partygoers to stay on alert for Monkeypox
As health authorities await test results from a suspected Monkeypox case, Minister of Health Ian Gooding-Edghill has confirmed that the country now has capabilities to test for the virus here.
And he has assured that authorities are fully prepared to handle any cases and would take steps to prevent any spread, while the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) has urged residents to be extra cautious as they attend Crop Over events.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George on Tuesday disclosed to Barbados TODAY that there was a suspected case of the disease – in which a Barbadian male with no travel history presented with signs of lesions on his body – and samples were sent for testing.
Minister Gooding-Eghill said on Wednesday that while samples from two previous suspected cases were sent off to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad for testing, and returned negative, the latest case is being tested locally.
“The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory recently acquired the capacity to do the diagnostic test for Monkeypox and will therefore be conducting tests locally on any suspected cases. This ability by Best-dos Santos is a major accomplishment of which the Barbados health service can be justifiably proud and should be a source of comfort to all Barbadians,” he said.
“For full disclosure, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will update the public on the results of the one sample which was sent to the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory.
“To date, there have been no confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Barbados. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to maintain transparency whilst adhering to patient confidentiality,” Gooding-Edghill assured.
He further assured that his Ministry will continue to take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of any disease outbreak in Barbados, and stressed that there would be no vaccination drive at this time.
“There are no vaccines available in Barbados for Monkeypox. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that mass vaccination is not required nor recommended for Monkeypox at this time. Human-to-human spread of Monkeypox can be controlled by public health measures, including early case findings, diagnosis and care, isolation, and contact tracing,” the Health Minister said.
“The absence of vaccines should not cause undue alarm since Monkeypox is rarely fatal. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to follow the WHO guidance as part of the global response. Any person presenting pox symptoms will be clinically assessed, and swabs may be taken for testing, and the patient would be required to isolate as a risk mitigation measure.”
Gooding-Edghill said the Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to pay very close attention to the global outbreak.
He noted that from the time “this new threat to global health” emerged, the Ministry swung into action by taking the very important step of sensitising its public health professionals who are responsible for public health management.
“Let me assure the public that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is fully prepared to handle any cases of monkeypox in our nation. In addition, the Ministry’s Port Health staff will continue to conduct public health surveillance at our ports of entry,” he said.
“The Ministry’s public health team is well trained on surveillance and detection, and as has occurred in the past when faced with any global outbreaks of infectious diseases, this team will continue to monitor our borders and protect public health in Barbados. Please be aware that any travellers arriving at any of our ports with any pox symptoms will be assessed and investigated accordingly. ”
“Our state of readiness will also involve sensitising those workers who help us to maintain border control, such as Immigration, Customs, Barbados Port Inc., Grantley Adams International Airport, and others who perform a critical role at our ports of entry,” he added.
Meanwhile, BAMP President Dr Lynda Williams has cautioned residents to be extra careful regarding the risks of contracting Monkeypox during Crop Over mass gatherings, noting that the symptoms of the disease can be subtle.
“As a result, sanitisation should be upheld, and given that it is a respiratory droplets infection, the wearing of masks should also be maintained especially in close contact,” she told Barbados TODAY.
Dr Williams advised Barbadians not to wait until any potential symptoms of the virus become prominent, but to report to their doctor or health clinic at the slightest hint of a potential case.
Monkeypox is a disease that is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox and can be contracted through close intimate contact of an infected person.
Symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, but milder, and it is rarely fatal. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus.
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. Sometimes people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms, while others only experience a rash.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
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2 years 9 months ago
Health Archives - Barbados Today
Man with lesions about his body in isolation as Monkeypox test underway
Health officials are investigating what could be the country’s first case of monkeypox.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Kenneth George on Tuesday disclosed to Barbados TODAY that he was aware of a suspected case of the disease, in which a Barbadian male presented with signs of lesions on his body.
“I am aware of the case and we are doing all the testing that is necessary. Appropriate samples have been taken,” he said. “There is no travel history and the patient has been placed in isolation out of an abundance of caution.”
Barbados TODAY understands that the man was tested on Tuesday and the sample was sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad for confirmation.
Meanwhile, authorities are undertaking a “full” review of the public health procedures as they express concern over the spread of Monkeypox in the country’s tourism source markets.
In an earlier interview, Dr George indicated that the review would cover the entire public service.
“We are actually having a full review with all persons working across the public sector on awareness and sensitisation, the symptoms, the signs, the clinical presentation, surveillance and epidemiology, “ he told Barbados TODAY.
The CMO said that Barbados had sent a “couple” samples to CARPHA for testing and they came back negative.
“Two or three cases were presented with a rash, but all those samples came back negative. We continue to monitor the situation,” he said.
“My advice to the population is to be very observant. Be careful about the persons you mix with. If the person has a rash, you should try to stay away from that individual because if you are exposed you would be required to be quarantined and quarantine is up to 21 days as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Even if we had a case here in Barbados, it can be managed,” he assured.
Dr George contended that while it was not possible to prevent diseases from coming through the island’s ports of entry, measures could be adopted to reduce the risks and lower the level of imported illnesses.
“COVID has told us that you cannot prevent a viral illness from coming through your ports of entry. Nonetheless, we think it is absolutely critical to apprise the port health workers to make sure that if a case comes across, they can identify it early, visually, and respond and put them in the appropriate care,” the government’s top medical advisor said.
“Enhanced surveillance at the ports will continue, but there is no physical barrier to prevent persons from traveling with the disease. Frequently, the skin lesions might be covered by a type of layer and then there is always the issue that the incubation period where the disease is being developed has no outward signs or symptoms, and actually, during incubation period people could be infected.
“We are working with all port health and general public health [personnel] to sensitise them with respect to putting a barrier at the airport,” Dr George assured.
However, he advised against the country shifting its focus from COVID-19 to monkeypox.
“Monkeypox is not a highly contagious or infectious disease. You need to be intimate with an individual, you can’t get it from casual contact. The disease is effectively transmitted if you have prolonged intimate contact with an individual,” the top public health official maintained.
(emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)
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2 years 9 months ago
Health – Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana
US-based Mount Sinai Health System institution to improve Georgetown Hospital’s quality of service
The globally recognised New York-headquartered Mount Sinai health system will next week dispatch a team to Guyana to begin overhauling the quality of service at the country’s primary healthcare institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), officials said Friday. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said a team from Morning Side Hospital would be partnering directly ...
The globally recognised New York-headquartered Mount Sinai health system will next week dispatch a team to Guyana to begin overhauling the quality of service at the country’s primary healthcare institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), officials said Friday. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said a team from Morning Side Hospital would be partnering directly ...
2 years 9 months ago
Health Archives - Barbados Today
Health ministry maintaining active surveillance for virus
Local health authorities declared Thursday that Barbados has no suspected or confirmed cases of the monkeypox virus to date, but are giving assurances that the island remains on high alert.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said it will continue its “active surveillance and the sensitisation” of port health personnel on the management of the monkeypox virus.
On Wednesday, Jamaica became the first Caribbean country to confirm its first case of the monkeypox virus. The male patient recently travelled from the United Kingdom and presented to the public health system on July 5 having arrived in the island some five days earlier. He has been isolated while having confirmatory tests done and his close contacts quarantined following contact tracing.
On the heels of the development, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency Dr Joy St John advised there was no need for undue concern but stressed that Barbadians should follow the advice and guidance of the Ministry of Health.
Dr St John told Barbados TODAY that citizens need not fear an outbreak of monkeypox similar to what has occurred with COVID.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently described the outbreak as distributed over five main regions, including Europe, America, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Pacific and Africa.
Monkeypox is a disease of global health importance which primarily occurs near the tropical rain forests of Central and West Africa with the primary hosts being rodents and non-human primates such as monkeys. However, the current outbreak is being identified in non-endemic areas and is being spread from human-to-human with the majority of the cases seen in Europe.
Humans can contract the virus by direct contact with an infectious rash, scab, or body fluids of an infected person or animal. Human-to-human transmission can occur as a result of prolonged face-to-face, intimate, physical contact, or, touching items that have previously been handled by an infected individual. Development of symptoms can occur up to 21 days after contact with a case.
The virus usually starts with flu-like symptoms (fever and body aches), with swelling of the lymph nodes and progression to a widespread rash on the face and body. The red bumps eventually turn into pus-filled blisters that crust over. This illness can last for approximately 2 to 4 weeks.
There are no specific treatments for the virus, however, medications can be used to manage the symptoms.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness pledged to keep citizens informed of any public health developments of concern.
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2 years 9 months ago
Health Archives - Barbados Today
Bahamas investigating second Monkeypox virus case
SOURCE: CMC — The Bahamas government has confirmed that health authorities are investigating a second suspected case of Monkeypox.
SOURCE: CMC — The Bahamas government has confirmed that health authorities are investigating a second suspected case of Monkeypox.
Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Michael Darville, told a news conference that a Bahamian national is suspected of having the virus.
Last month, the Health and Wellness Minister reported that a foreign national, who travelled to the country, was being closely monitored by health officials and suspected of having the disease.
The individual was believed to be in his mid-40s and had been placed in isolation after showing symptoms associated with the disease. He has since been flown out of the country.
Dr Darville confirmed that the foreigner had indeed tested positive.
“Yes, I would like to inform the general public that the suspected case of Monkeypox that was in the country on June 9th. Our National reference lab did the analysis and that case was confirmed to be Monkeypox on the 24th of June,” he said.
“There is another suspected case in the country that we are monitoring. That individual went through the quarantine process, for I think 21 days and all the contacts associated with that case are also being monitored,” he told reporters.
He confirmed that the new suspected case has a history of contact with someone from a foreign country.
Symptoms of Monkeypox include skin rash, fever, headache, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion and can last up to two to four weeks.
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2 years 9 months ago
Health Archives - Barbados Today
REGION – Health officials in St Lucia increase Monkeypox surveillance
CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC – Health authorities here have increased surveillance for Monkeypox after being alerted that a crew member on a flight to the island had since tested positive for the virus.
However, according to the officials, the individual did not disembark from the aircraft when it arrived.
A statement issued on Monday by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs disclosed that the Epidemiology Department was alerted to the situation by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“As obtained with infectious diseases, the required contact tracing process is currently being undertaken by the contact tracing team within the Ministry of Health. All identified contacts of the case shall be contacted by the Ministry of Health and placed in quarantine and monitored over a 21-day period,” it said.
The Ministry added that with the significant increase in the number of cases of Monkeypox confirmed globally in recent weeks, St Lucia has strengthened the capacity to manage individuals who are either suspect or confirmed cases.
It said the protocols that are in place for COVID-19 have been modified to allow for the management of Monkeypox.
“Any person exposed to Monkeypox shall be placed in quarantine and monitored by the Home Monitoring Team of clinicians. The capacity for testing for the Monkeypox virus exists within the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and as such, samples will be taken from any individual who exhibits symptoms while in quarantine/isolation and shall be sent directly to CARPHA for testing,” the Health Ministry said.
It added that Victoria Hospital has assigned a dedicated ward exclusively for the care and management of anyone who receives a positive test result.
The management of Monkeypox is done by treating symptoms and there is the capacity in-country to effectively undertake this, the Ministry added.
According to the World Health Organization’s latest report, there are over 2,100 confirmed cases globally, and at least one person has died. (CMC)
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2 years 9 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Formula milk companies employing powerful and insidious marketing techniques to drive up their sales
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES The global formula milk industry is huge and growing rapidly, at about US$55 billion and projected to reach US$110B by 2026. Aggressive and deceptive marketing by manufacturers is driving this growth. The World Health Organization (WHO) is ringing alarms. It charges the industry with using new digital […]
2 years 10 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Research findings show an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular-related death occurring at nighttime
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John sang about romance in “Summer Nights,” the opening song in the hit movie, Grease. But now, at 68, he, more so than she, may want to watch out for a different kind of summer heat. New research shows that warm summer nights […]
2 years 11 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Why is it So Hard Losing Weight?
BY RACHEL MARY RILEY Have you ever wondered why it’s difficult to keep the weight off permanently even after doing 14–30-day challenges? Some people say, it is easy to put on weight, but it is hard to take off. Question to ask yourself? What causes weight gain? Could it be stress? Could it be a […]
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2 years 11 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Is cholesterol the enemy?
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES The headline of a prestigious health and nutrition publication reads, “Do we need to limit dietary cholesterol?” For decades, the answer was yes. We were told to limit our intake of cholesterol to 300 milligrams (mg) or less daily to decrease the risk of heart attack. Was […]
The post Is cholesterol the enemy? first appeared on Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.
2 years 11 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Should you be given the right and choice to die? Another look at assisted death
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES Few want to think about it, but there are choices to make about death. Doing nothing is one option. Life will, inevitably, one way or another come to an end, but making common sense decisions about personal preferences for end-of-life should not be taboo or disallowed, and […]
The post Should you be given the right and choice to die? Another look at assisted death first appeared on Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.
2 years 11 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Consumers need to demand less plastic packaging, always recycle, and change buying habits
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES Why is humankind so bent on destruction? Why so apathetic in the face of annihilating warfare, repeated massive oil spills and choking urban smog? Equally awful is the “Plastic Soup” in our oceans. A picture of a Hawaiian beach reveals the folly of humans. It shows a […]
The post Consumers need to demand less plastic packaging, always recycle, and change buying habits first appeared on Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.
2 years 12 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Stand up to read this week’s column
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES Get up on your feet. Seriously. It will be good for you. Sitting is something we have all become accustomed to doing a lot more of lately. Just prior to the pandemic, studies showed that the average adult spent about 6.5 hours a day sitting – an […]
The post Stand up to read this week’s column first appeared on Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.
2 years 12 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Thinking through the behavioural changes that you need to make for your health
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES This column, over forty-five years, has begged people to make lifestyle changes that will help them avoid the development of type 2-diabetes. Failing that, there’s mounting scientific evidence that natural supplements supporting glycemic control can help mitigate dietary abstinence and lack of exercise. In the event diabetes […]
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2 years 12 months ago
Health & Wellness | Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
Don’t disregard a lump in the breast; Men, we are talking to you!
BY W. GIFFORD- JONES MD & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES Few findings cause women as much fear as discovering a breast lump and being left wondering if it’s cancer. What about men who notice a mass and pain in the breast? Male breast lumps are not commonly discussed in the locker room, but confusion and embarrassment can […]
The post Don’t disregard a lump in the breast; Men, we are talking to you! first appeared on Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.
3 years 19 hours ago