Grand Cayman, Thursday, 15 August 2024-   The Ministry of Health & Wellness is issuing an advisory on Monkeypox, now referred to as Mpox, following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration that a current outbreak is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The declaration, made on August 14, 2024,  comes due to a surge of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and onward transmission into neighbouring countries.

“There are no confirmed cases of Mpox virus in the Cayman Islands,” explains Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Nick Gent. “However, it is important for us to be cognisant that the risk of Mpox virus to the Cayman Islands is increasing.  In light of this, we want to ensure that all of us- medical professionals and members of the public- are aware of this risk, and that cases presenting with relevant symptoms are tested and appropriate control measures are taken,” he adds.

Since the start of 2024, a large outbreak of Mpox developed in the DRC, with at least 15,000 cases and 511 deaths this year. While Mpox is endemic in the DRC, this outbreak impacted provinces that were previously unaffected, and the number of cases is already more than the total number of cases in 2023.  Over the past month, 100+ cases have been reported in the nearby countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, none of which are known to have had cases previously.

“The Mpox virus is transmitted from person-to-person by direct contact with Mpox rash and/or scabs, as well as bodily fluids or respiratory droplets from a person with Mpox,” Dr. Gent elaborates.  “Transmission can also occur via sexual contact, contact with contaminated items, such as towels and bedding, as well as vertically from a pregnant mother to her baby.”

Mpox symptoms are typically fever, headache, low energy, and muscle ache. Following fever, a mild to severe rash can develop, most commonly on the hands and feet, but also in the genital and perianal areas. The rash goes through different stages before forming a scab.

This morning, officials from the Ministry of Health & Wellness met with representatives from Health City Cayman Islands, Doctor’s Hospital, Faith Hospital and the Health Services Authority, including HSA’s General Practice, Urgent Care, Public Health Department and the Cayman Islands Molecular Biology Laboratory (CIMBL).

“Given that this is a dynamic situation, the Ministry will continue to meet regularly with these key stakeholders in order to coordinate actions and overall prepareness,” Dr. Gent confirms.  “During today’s meeting, we agreed on infection control issues, and confirmed that we are aligned on the need for immediate isolation, urgency of informing public health officials, and rapid testing protocols.  The CIMBL has the capability to test locally for Mpox.”

The Ministry will be issuing guidance for clinicians that will outline the immediate actions on suspicion of Mpox cases.  Isolation of cases and close contacts is an essential measure given the infectiousness of this virus, so in-home quarantine measures will form part of the public health response. However, the HSA has identified a new suite of clinical rooms that include individual care rooms that would be suitable for any cases that need hospitalisation.

While there is a vaccine for Mpox, the global supply is limited and needs to be directed to the current outbreak in the African continent.  Given that the current risk of incursion and community spread in the Cayman Islands is quite low, Mpox immunization is currently not an appropriate measure locally.  However, the Ministry will revise this position should the risk level for the Cayman Islands change.

The Ministry will continue to monitor this situation closely, and will keep the public informed of any important developments over the coming weeks.

For more information, contact [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> or [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.