Port surveillance for Monkeypox heightened as Guyana braces for influx of visitors

Health and port authorities have heightened monkeypox screening at airports and border crossings as the country expects an influx of visitors towards the end of the year.

The ongoing Cricket Carnival and the hosting of the 2022 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) semi-finals and finals in Georgetown have significantly increased visitor arrival projections for the next two weeks.

Guyana has only recorded two cases of monkeypox locally and the Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has assured of efforts to prevent any imported cases during this period.

“We have sensitised airport staff and at all the ports of entry. Staff from the Ministry are assigned and told to look for the signs and symptoms of monkeypox,” Dr. Anthony said.

Medical personnel, doctors and nurses, have been trained by the Ministry of Health to treat and diagnose monkeypox cases. This includes the surveillance and monitoring of entry ports to take reports of cases.

Dr. Anthony noted, however, that while this level of screening is not the most sensitive method of detection it aids in the process.

Persons infected with monkeypox who are in their incubation period would not ordinarily display outwards physical symptoms.

“So, while we are alert it is still difficult to detect persons unless they have rashes.

“Our people have been trained to ask questions,” he added.

Persons, both in the country and those travelling into Guyana with self-observed symptoms, are encouraged to go to local health facilities and test for the virus.

Globally, there has been a decline in cases and Dr. Anthony is comforted by this.

“Once the trend continues we will see a further decline and at some point, in the future, we will be able to remove it as one of the health emergencies.”

Both of Guyana’s monkeypox patients have been discharged from the infectious diseases hospital with neither of them having rashes to spread the infection.

Thus far, 15 persons have tested for monkeypox with only the two confirmed cases having positive results. The 24 hour toll-free hotline for persons who have questions about monkeypox or want to report possible cases is 0449.