Mpox Rumours Debunked by Health Ministry as CARPHA Calls for Increased Regional Vigilance

Rumours of two Mpox cases in the Cayman Islands are spreading widely, but the Ministry of Health and Wellness has firmly refuted these claims. The ministry clarified that this information is false, not issued by them, and urged the public to rely on accurate sources for information.

Currently, there are no reported cases of clade I Mpox in the Caribbean. The region’s limited travel links to affected areas help minimise the immediate risk. However, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is advising increased vigilance.

Dr. Lisa Indar, Ad Interim Executive Director at CARPHA, commented, “CARPHA is monitoring the situation closely. The current risk to the Caribbean population from Mpox clade 1b is low to moderate, as no cases of Mpox have been identified in the CARPHA Member States. However, the identification of the first case of clade 1b outside of Africa is a warning call for public health authorities to be vigilant and necessitates enhanced surveillance by all Caribbean countries, inclusive of monitoring of incoming passengers, and rapid/early identification of potential cases, and a well-coordinated regional and international response.”

Earlier in the week, Dr. Melissa Dias-Musa, Belize’s Director of Public Health and Wellness, announced the re-sensitisation of healthcare teams in the country following the Mpox public health emergency declaration.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, convened a meeting today with the technical team from the Ministry and the four regional health authorities in preparation for the possible re-introduction of Mpox in the country. Dr. Tufton emphasised that “in non-endemic countries, such as Jamaica, one case is considered an outbreak.”