Monkeypox cases likely to be seen in Bailiwick – Dr Brink
MONKEYPOX has become a notifiable disease in the Bailiwick, with a warning that it is likely that cases will be seen locally in the foreseeable future.
Community transmission is occurring in the UK, which has also legislated to make the virus a notifiable infectious disease.
Up to 30 May there were 190 laboratory-confirmed cases in the UK.
Medical officer of health Dr Nicola Brink said that while no cases have been identified in the Bailiwick to date, it was likely that cases would be seen locally.
‘Listing monkeypox as a notifiable disease, and infection with the monkeypox virus as a notifiable infection, means that healthcare professionals must notify the medical officer of health if they suspect a patient has monkeypox or the monkeypox virus is identified in a clinical sample,’ she said.
‘This will help Public Health manage any local cases, should they occur, as well as tracing contacts.
'The prompt and effective management of cases and contacts will enable us to interrupt chains of transmission and offer vaccination, where indicated.’
Monkeypox is a viral infection that, until recently, has usually been associated with travel to West Africa.
However, since early May 2022 more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in multiple countries that are not endemic for the virus, including in the UK, Spain, Portugal and North America.
‘Epidemiological investigations are ongoing, however reported cases thus far have no established travel links to an endemic area,’ said Dr Brink.
‘This is consistent with community transmission in multiple non-endemic countries in recent weeks, so we need to ensure we’re prepared and making the disease notifiable is part of that.’
The incubation period for monkeypox is between five and 21 days. It is usually a self-limiting illness and most people recover within several weeks. However, severe illness can occur in some individuals.
The illness begins with fever, headache and exhaustion. Within a few days after the appearance of fever, a rash develops, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body.
The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
If a person suspects they may have monkeypox or is concerned, then they should contact the Orchard Centre on 227707 or their GP by telephone.
It is important to phone first before attending a healthcare setting to ensure the right level of care is provided.
If a person is very unwell then they should contact the Emergency Department at the PEH for further advice.
