To avoid speculation and be on the “safe side”, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony is urging persons to visit a health institution and get tested if they are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with the monkeypox virus.
Dr. Anthony during his daily health update on Tuesday elaborated that skin lesions, one of the most indicative symptoms of the monkeypox virus, are not exclusive to the disease and therefore it is important for a doctor to make a definitive diagnosis.
“If a person develops skin lesions then you can have skin lesions for many things, not just monkeypox so to be on the safe side it would be good to come into one of the hospitals,” Dr. Anthony said.
He explained that a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is able to confirm whether or not someone is infected with the virus.
“We’ll encourage people to do this because that’s the only way we’ll know and we’ll be able to confirm. Don’t stay home and think about it, come in and let’s do the relevant test so that your mind can be at ease,” he said.
Dr. Anthony disclosed that since the first case of monkeypox was confirmed last week there were many suspected cases, however, laboratory tests have proven otherwise.
The two persons who have since tested positive for the monkeypox virus are currently being monitored at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, and will be discharged at an “appropriate time”, Dr. Anthony said.
The Health Minister is urging persons to be “a little more observant” and avoid close contact with persons who display signs and symptoms of the virus
“If you see a person with skin lesions then it’s probably better to stay a little distance from that person,” he said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) people with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing and can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
Other symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache and respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.
Infected individuals begin to experience symptoms within three weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash one to four days later.
The illness typically lasts two to four weeks and can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed, the CDC has noted.
The Ministry is working with various stakeholders to spread awareness of the monkeypox virus and to encourage responsible reporting.
