PAHO: Caribbean must keep an eye on monkeypox

Kingston, Nov 28 (Prensa Latina) The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has warned countries in the Caribbean basin to be on high alert concerning the Monkeypox (Mpox) threat.

November 28, 2024
14:46

The alert comes against the backdrop of a Monkeypox Clade I strain case detected in the area.

In its statement, PAHO indicates the patient was reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Nov 16.

“The individual had a history of recent travel to East Africa and was treated shortly after arriving in the United States, and health authorities are now working to identify and trace potential contacts,” PAHO said in a statement.

The health agency clarifies that historically, the Clade I variant causes more severe illnesses and higher number of deaths than the Clade II.

The increase in monkeypox stems from the prevalence of the Clade I strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in a growing number of countries in Africa, making it a public health emergency of international importance.

ied/arm/mem/joe