For the first time in four months, Jamaica has recorded a new case of the Mpox virus, previously known as Monkeypox.
According to a report from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the patient is the second female to contract the virus and resides in St Catherine. She was confirmed positive on Sunday (March 19).
The number of reported Mpox cases on the island now stands at 19.
The ministry had cancelled the weekly reports on Mpox after the island had not seen a case of the virus in more than two months. However, citizens were still urged to be cautious as the virus could still be lingering among members of the population.
According to the report, the new case was locally transmitted, meaning the patient had no recent travel history and contracted the virus on the island. Of the overall 19 cases recorded, 17 of them were locally transmitted and two were reported as imported cases.
The ministry also confirmed last month that a Mpox patient’s death was coincidental. This means that the patient had Mpox, but also had other illnesses that resulted in their death.
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, the ministry is urging you to self-isolate and call ahead to your doctor or health centre.
- Fever
- Chills
- Intense headaches
- Extreme exhaustion
- Muscle and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes, wax and cannon
- Rash (usually one to three days after a fever)
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