Health minister Dr. Christopher Tufton earlier confirmed that a local monkey pox case has been detected in Jamaica.
This brings to three, the number of cases now in the country. The first case was a man visiting from the United Kingdom, while the second victim was visiting from New York and travelled to a community in Clarendon.
“It is not an imported case as is the case with the previous two. This individual has not travelled; they have no travelling history and clearly contracted the virus from someone who had the virus here,” he told journalists.
“It in a sense changes the complexion of the challenge that we face. Having said that, it was anticipated that sooner or later, we would have local transmission,” the minister said.
Dr. Tufton said this third victim is co-operative and is now quarantined at home. He said ministry officials are concerned about the rising cases in the United States and other countries.
A technical team is now consulting with bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners. Meetings will also be held with the medical team in respective parishes. The technical team is also discussing concerns regarding vaccines, contact tracing and quarantine.
The public health team is unlikely to recommend restrictions at this time, however, there will be more surveillance of the country’s borders.