The Health Minister said on Monday that security measures are already in place at the Port and Airport to prevent the Monkey Pox from entering the country. More than 80 cases have been reported in 12 countries. The concern is global!
12 countries infected
There has been a lot of concern since the virus emerged from Africa after 20 years. The first case was detected in England on 7 May 2022 and the virus has been confirmed in 12 countries, including 9 European countries, Australia, the United States and Canada. The health attention is being diverted from Covid 19 to Monkeypox. This virus is endemic to Central Africa and is transmitted by monkeys carrying the virus to humans or rats. Monkeypox is related to chickenpox and smallpox.
Remedies exist
The reassuring point is that it is a virus that has been known since 1970 and the symptoms are easily identifiable, which are fever, headache and fatigue and in a second phase, about 10 days later, rashes and pus pimples visible all over the body. These visible symptoms can last between 2 and 4 weeks. The smallpox remedy is already available in the form of vaccines and drinkable medicines. Virologists around the world are reassuring the population. According to the World Health Organisation, the mortality rate from this disease is estimated at 1 in 10.
Mauritius goes into surveillance mode
No cases have been reported in Mauritius. However, the authorities are already on their guards. At the launch of the paediatric vaccination campaign on Monday at the Petit Verger Government School in Saint Pierre, the Health Minister, Dr. Kailesh Jagutpal announced that his ministry is closely monitoring the situation and has been referring to the WHO recommendations. “The virus has already been detected in about 14 countries. We know how the virus is transmitted and where it comes from, either from a part of Africa. There are currently two variants, one that remains endemic in Africa and one that has managed to spread to other countries. The ministry has already committed, with the collaboration of the WHO, to follow up and see how the situation is developing in other countries,” says Kailesh Jagutpal. For example, checks on incoming passengers at the Port and Airport are actively being carried out. The authorities are testing for temperature and signs of visible rashes. However, Kailesh Jagutpal concluded: “We must remain vigilant. The situation obviously calls for surveillance but not for alarmism!”
