Local sample under investigation for monkeypox

| 01/06/2022 | 28 Comments
Example of monkeypox

(CNS): The Public Health Department has said that it is investigating a potential monkeypox case in a young patient with a rash and fever that has been diagnosed as chickenpox. A sample from the patient has been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), “out of an abundance of caution”, to check for the monkeypox virus, which has recently been confirmed as circulating in non-endemic countries and has symptoms similar to chickenpox.

CARPHA is expected to process the sample within one to two weeks. Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Autilia Newton said chickenpox is an infectious disease so the patient has already been isolated and contact tracing has been carried out.

“Other instances of chickenpox were found among close contacts of this case, and infection control measures were put in place to prevent spread,” Dr Newton said. “We want to further reassure the public that they can prevent the spread of the chickenpox and monkeypox virus by practising good hand hygiene, wearing masks, and avoiding contact with the lesions of any person who has a new rash and raised temperature.”

Anyone who suspects they have either virus should seek medical attention if they experience these symptoms.

Health Minister Sabrina Turner said her ministry will share the outcome of the testing with the public and noted that health updates are available from local media houses and on the government website.

“Our Public Health Department is blessed with highly trained and highly experienced surveillance experts known for their effectiveness,” said Turner. “This case is a successful example of the system at work. It allowed us to quickly identify a potential case, assess and deal with the matter locally, but also to send a sample to CARPHA for ease of mind, given the current spread of monkeypox. I am confident we will be able to deal with any scenario.”

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is closely related to the viruses that cause cowpox and smallpox. While symptoms resemble chickenpox, the fluid-filled lesions are larger and accompanied by high fever and swollen glands.


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Category: Health, Medical Health

Comments (28)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    No testing is done on persons coming to the Cayman Islands on a 3 month work permit! At the moment visitors only have to get tested for Covid-19!
    So stop lying about anyone coming to Cayman has to be tested for monkey pox, hepatitis, Aids and other sexual transmitted diseases.STOP LYING!

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  2. Anonymous says:

    I would also like to know if this person was recently are is vaccinated.

    ITS claim Monkeypox existed in the 1950’s but I am just curious of the reemerge of it althoigh I am 68 and I have never heard of such a pox.

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  3. Beaumont Zodecloun says:

    Dr Newton said. “We want to further reassure the public that they can prevent the spread of the chickenpox and monkeypox virus by practising good hand hygiene, wearing masks, and avoiding contact with the lesions of any person who has a new rash and raised temperature.”

    Got it. The onus is upon US to prevent the spread of any virulent diseases, NOT the Public Health Department, or any of its currently nonexistent screening processes.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    FlaTeN tHe CurVe. WeAR a MaSk.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Wear your sheath folks!

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Dear Lord – Sabrina will have us locked down again until the moon falls from the sky

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    • Anonymous says:

      But she’s ok to go to her hair dresser and pretend to work on her laptop while getting her hair blow dried at 11 am. Get your lazy butt back to work!

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Did they say to wear a mask ? Omg man

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  8. Anonymous says:

    2 weeks? still? after the ongoing pandemic, we can’t get a local testing office here?

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Anyone coming to the Cayman Islands must be tested for monkey pox, hepatitis, Aids and any other sexually transmitted disease. If they are positive then they will be banned from coming here, simple.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    That’s it. No sex with monkeys for two weeks to flatten the curve.

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