Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald E. Georges has said there is no need for alarm in the Virgin Islands (VI) due to monkey pox. Photo: Internet Source

Monkey pox can be spread from close, prolonged, and often intimate skin-to-skin contact between persons. It can spread via body fluids, respiratory secretions, and contaminated articles of clothing. Photo: WHO

While the public should not be alarmed by monkey pox, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald E. Georges urged that they should refrain from travelling to endemic areas. Photo: WHO

Following a story on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), questioning the territory’s readiness in the event money pox reaches its shores, Dr. Georges in a statement to VINO said, “The public should not be alarmed. The public should be vigilant and ensure that they are knowledgeable and educated by seeking information from reputable sources on current status and actions that they should take.”

WHO has declared monkey pox outbreak an international emergency before

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the monkey pox virus a global emergency.

Dr. Georges in his statement however said a similar situation arose in 2022 when an outbreak of the virus occurred in London from cases which had travelled from Nigeria, marking the first time the disease has spread widely outside of Central and West Africa.

“Back in later July 2022 the WHO similarly had declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern given the spread outside of the usual area of endemnicity,” Dr. Georges added continuing, “During that time WHO, PAHO, and CARPHA supported their member countries to enhance readiness.  The BVI benefited from all three agencies' work.”

Healthcare workers are trained and sensitized, while information has been shared with Port Health agencies, and laboratory capacity for testing of Monkey Pox using local PCR technology obtained during the COVID-19 pandemic, he assured.

Vaccination not recommended for VI at this time

Dr. Georges further advised that there is no benefit from mass vaccination or offering vaccination to the general public right now.

“This will not be advocated for the Territory at this time,” he said as there is a “limited role for monkey pox vaccination in specific categories of persons in high risk with specific sexual networks. In particular, those in these categories who have had one or more sexually transmitted infections within the last 6 months.”

Avoid travel to endemic areas

While the public should not be alarmed by monkey pox, Dr. Georges urged that they should refrain from travelling to endemic areas.

If travel to areas where monkey pox is, in fact, present, they should not engage in risky behaviours or frequent areas where they may be at risk of close contact.

Monkey pox can be spread from close, prolonged, and often intimate skin-to-skin contact between persons.  It can spread via body fluids, respiratory secretions, and contaminated articles of clothing. 

The vast majority of cases outside of endemic regions have occurred within sexual networks and those with recent contact with new sexual partners or multiple sexual partners. 

“If you do test positive for Monkey Pox or have close contact with a known case while away you should also be aware that you may be isolated quarantined and barred from travelling home until you are deemed clear,” he added.

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Is the Virgin Islands under threat from Mpox? Are we ready? | Virgin Islands News Online