Santo Domingo.-The Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday that since April of this year no patients have been reported positive for monkeypox (MPOX), however, as a precautionary measure it has intensified epidemiological surveillance to detect possible cases of the disease, in response to the emergency declaration issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), which urges member countries to take appropriate measures to prevent it.
The institution explains that the last confirmed case in the country was recorded in April of this year, which means that up to week 33 of 2024, there are 8 confirmed cases, but no community circulation has been detected.
The Ministry of Health indicates that vaccines are available and since 2022, more than 2,000 people have been administered this vaccine, with priority given to at-risk groups.
In this order, based on the recommendations shared by the WHO/PAHO, the health entity instructs to take the following measures:
General population: avoid direct skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that resembles smallpox, contact with objects and materials that a person with this disease has used, such as bedding, clothing, etc. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after going to the bathroom.
Health services have been instructed to report any unusual event possibly related to MPOX, according to the case definition established for this disease, to make the differential diagnosis of chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmitted infections and allergies associated with medications, to rule out cases of monkeypox.
In the presence of suspected, probable and/or confirmed cases, appropriate infection prevention and control measures must be implemented, tests must be performed to confirm the diagnosis, symptomatic management, monitoring and treatment of complications and serious conditions.
Provincial Health Directorates and Areas (DPS/DAS) were instructed to strengthen epidemiological surveillance for early detection and timely notification of cases.
Monkeypox or monkeypox
It is a viral zoonosis caused by a virus that is characterized by a rash or skin lesions that are usually concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The incubation period (time between infection and the appearance of symptoms) is six to 16 days, although it can vary between five and 21 days.
Case reporting is crucial because it allows for the rapid identification of contacts of an infected person, facilitating the implementation of preventive and health promotion measures, such as vaccination. By identifying and reporting cases in a timely manner, the spread of the disease can be limited, the risk of outbreaks can be reduced, and the vulnerable population can be protected. Vaccination, in particular, is an effective preventive measure that can stop the transmission of contagious diseases when administered in time to close contacts of a confirmed case.
Situation summary
On 14 August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO), in view of the increase in cases of monkeypox or MPOX in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in a growing number of countries in Africa, declared a public health emergency of international concern, under the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005).
Since 1 January 2022, 116 Member States in all 6 WHO regions have reported cases of MPOX. As of 30 June 2024, a total of 99,176 laboratory-confirmed cases and 535 probable cases, including 208 dysfunctions, have been reported to WHO.
