Is the Virgin Islands under threat from Mpox? Are we ready?
![Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) for comment who directed our news centre to Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges. Photo: File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_3_350x_b_b1cb3ad6-c5b6-40bd-a3e7-a1f735f4067e.jpeg)
![Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges, has promised to release a statement to VINO on the Monkeypox virus and the Virgin Islands’ readiness. Photo: GIS/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_3_350x_r_Ronald_E._Georges.jpg)
This time it is Monkeypox (Mpox) caused by the monkeypox virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus a global emergency. Mpox is an infectious disease and the virus' new strain is spreading. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and low energy. For many people, the first symptom of Mpox is a rash.
The WHO said Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.
Mpox not new but new strain dangerous
While the Mpox virus is not new as it has been around since 2022, especially in the USA, it has started to spread with a highly contagious and severe strain after a major outbreak in central Africa. The surge of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a few other African countries has the health community concerned.
Additionally, Swedish officials said they have recorded their first case of the Mpox virus. While the new strain has not reached the USA or the VI, the question is what is being done on the home front.
Thus far according to the WHO in Central Africa, there have been some 17,000 plus infections with over 500 deaths in Congo.
VI Preparedness?
There is also a Mpox vaccine but it is unclear if the VI has any.
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) for comment who directed our news centre to Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges.
When contacted, Dr. Georges informed he was engaged in a personal medical matter but promised to release a statement to VINO later.
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8 Responses to “Is the Virgin Islands under threat from Mpox? Are we ready?”
Normally before any serious outbreak get to our shore (the BVI) we will hear of reports in many other countries in this world.
Be calm, please. Some Topic Issue reports are geared to draw our attention from more pressing issues at hand (with reach), but I do hope not tis one.
Vaccines are made to prevent the spread of avoidable conditions but there no vaccine for idiocracy.