No active cases of monkeypox in Guyana

Guyana currently has no known active cases of monkeypox following the discharge of the two diagnosed patients.

The first case of monkeypox in Guyana was confirmed on August 22, and a week later, on August 29, another case was recorded. The first person to be diagnosed with monkeypox in Guyana was released late last week.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said, “The second patient has also been discharged. We have checked in with the person’s close contacts, and again there have been no signs or symptoms of any rash developing, so they are also cleared.”

Minister Anthony had stated he does not expect a large breakout of infections due to the nature of the disease, which requires being in close contact with an infected individual for an extended period.

No new monkeypox cases have been recorded in Guyana thus far, and the Minister said that no follow-up checks would be done on the patients after discharge.

“We’re quite satisfied that they cannot spread anything. They have been in isolation with us for the requisite period, so we are quite satisfied at this point in time they would not be able to spread anything.”

Neighbouring Brazil has recorded 6033 cases of monkeypox to date. Globally, there have been 59,179 total cases so far.

Symptoms to look out for include fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, myalgia (muscle aches), and intense asthenia (lack of energy), which may occur either before or after skin rashes.

It is important to note that the virus is only transmissible when rashes are visible on an infected person.

It is no longer transmissible when lesions have scabbed over and healed. Transmission occurs through contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person, or recently contaminated objects.