Ministry of Health and Human Services Issues Public Health Alert on Mpox  

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20^th August, 2024 — The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to inform the public that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This declaration, made on August 14, 2024, recognizes the significant global threat posed by the more transmissible and severe strain of the Mpox virus, known as clade 1b. By declaring a PHEIC, the WHO raises global awareness about a possible public health threat, ensuring that governments, health organizations, and the public understand the urgency and severity of the situation.

Mpox clade 1b, which emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2023, has now spread to several countries in Africa and, as of August 15, 2024, was confirmed in Sweden. This is the first time this strain has been detected outside of Africa, heralding the need for heightened vigilance worldwide.

A health alert coming from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the primary public health agency for the Caribbean region, reports the current situation in the Caribbean as:

1. No reported cases of Mpox clade 1b have been reported in the Caribbean or neighbouring regions, including the United Statesto date.
2. The risk to the Caribbean population is currently assessed as low to moderate, given the limited travel and direct commercial connections to the DRC and its neighbouring countries.

However, the Ministry urges continued vigilance and surveillance.

Mpox (previously known as monkeypox), is an infection caused by the monkeypox virus. It can spread through:

1. close contact such as touching, kissing or sex
2. through contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles
3. Respiratory droplets from an infected person
4. pregnant women, who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby

Once an individual comes in contact with an infected person the time between contact to the display of symptoms (incubation period) for Mpox ranges from 5 to 21 days but is typically from 6 to 13 days.

Persons infected with Mpox initially develop symptoms that include:

1. Exhaustion
2. fever,
3. headache,
4. backache,
5. muscle ache,
6. chills
7. swollen lymph nodes
8. Painful rash is quite common, firstly appearing on the face then on the hands, feet and other parts of the body.Rask appears as vesicles (fluid-filled blister).

Symptoms often last for 2 to 4 weeks and are mild in most people but severe illness and complications, such as sepsis (severe whole system infection), secondary infections and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), may occur in children, pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems.

Prevention is primarily through avoiding contact with infected individuals by:

1. Wash and Sanitize hands frequently
2. Avoid contact with anyone with a suspicious rash
3. Avoid contact with contaminated object
4. Wear a mask for close contact with an infected person

Since this declaration, the Ministry of Health and Human Services has enhanced syndromic surveillance systems to rapidly identify cases presenting with fever and rash, especially among travelers from affected regions. The Ministry has also elevated awareness among healthcare professionals, ensuring they recognized the symptoms of Mpox, particularly in patients with recent travel history to those areas.

Additionally, there has been strengthened infection prevention and control procedures in healthcare settings to better manage potential outbreaks.

The Ministry, in collaboration with CARPHA, will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. Public health authorities across the region are urged to remain vigilant and ready to respond swiftly to any potential cases.

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.