Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says the Government is prepared and ready to tackle the deadly mpox virus, now a global public health emergency, should it reach the country’s shores.

At the same time, he said Jamaica may be able to share its limited supply of mpox vaccines with other countries in great need.

Speaking at a virtual press conference on Thursday, Dr Tufton said he believes the Administration has enough experience coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and also previous exposure to mpox to do what is necessary to be fully prepared.

“The fact is that Jamaica is perhaps more prepared than most other countries around the world. For starters, we have some experience, having had cases back in 2022 and 2023. We did make provisions for testing and still are able to do that and we have vaccines in terms of giving protection to other persons who may have been exposed. And so, what is important now is to provide information and this is what we’re doing without causing panic,” Tufton said. “So, I think we are in a level of comfort in terms of managing the circumstances and just to reassure Jamaicans that we will do whatever is necessary, as we have done in the past, to provide adequate protection.”

Mpox, a rare disease that is similar to smallpox and can be transmitted by contact and droplet exposure, was last Wednesday declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Tufton said that since this declaration, Jamaica has been on high alert and surveillance has been heightened, especially for travellers coming from countries where there is an outbreak.

He said extra vigilance is crucial, given that in non-endemic countries, such as Jamaica, one case is considered an outbreak. Therefore, Jamaicans need to be conscious of the risks because of the openness of the island’s borders.

Stressing that this declaration is “not an attempt at creating any panic or undue alarm”, the health minister said it is an important notification to the public that this is a going concern and “we must prepare ourselves and protect ourselves to avoid infection, whether from one person or for a community.”

“As at Thursday, August 22, 2024, there are no cases of mpox reported [in Jamaica]; however, due to public health risks associated with a single case of mpox, members of the public should take the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves from this disease,” he said.

Dr Tufton said that surveillance is therefore critical at this time to rapidly identify cases and, by extension, with each case, the clusters in order to provide optimal clinical care; isolate cases to prevent further transmission; identify, manage and follow up contacts to recognise early signs of infection; to protect frontline health workers; and identify risk groups and tailor effective control and prevention measures.

He said the health ministry’s key actions at this time will be focused on heightened surveillance at the island’s ports of entry and will involve interviewing travellers who have visited countries of interest in the last six months.

“Anyone with symptoms will be treated according to our protocols. Persons without symptoms will be issued health alert cards and told to contact the health department if they develop symptoms,” he said.

“In other words, we are monitoring the countries where mpox is present and persons coming into Jamaica from those countries of concern may be subjected to a higher level of surveillance questioning by the health team. But generally, we will post appropriate notification at our ports of entry so persons can be aware of symptoms and the precautions that need to be taken,” he said.

The health minister appealed for patience if travellers are inconvenienced “because this, for us, is an important issue and it is our obligation to protect the population and to protect those who may be affected”.

He noted that there will also be increased surveillance in health facilities as people with suggestive symptoms and travel history will be tested and treated according to the ministry’s protocols. He said people should also advise the health department if they develop signs and symptoms.

“Additionally, the ministry has begun its national public education and community engagement programme. And again, I implore all Jamaicans to be on alert, and to take the necessary precautions to safeguard yourself, your family from mpox, as other viral illnesses,” he said.