The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that Brazil has 2, 584 confirmed cases of Monkeypox.
Guyana shares a border and a highway with this neighbouring country and Minister of Dr. Frank Anthony is urging citizens to exercise precaution.
“There are quite a number of cases and given our open borders with Brazil, there can be persons who might be infected coming across and therefore we can get cases.”
Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, and contact with respiratory secretions.
It can also happen during oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
Men who have sex with men are prone to contracting the virus and Dr. Anthony is again encouraging this group of persons to exercise caution.
The Health Ministry has already alerted health officials to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of the virus.
Although Guyana has no confirmed cases of monkeypox, medical officials have been trained by PAHO to detect and treat the disease.
“We have brought in the reagents so that we can do PCR test for monkeypox, so once we have a sample we’d be able to test it and identify the virus.”
“And we have an infectious disease response team so if a doctor suspects they have a case of monkeypox, the specialised team would be able to respond to go and assist that physician,” the Health Minister added.
