Jamaica is now able to conduct testing for the monkeypox virus.
This follows a regional training in laboratory detection and diagnosis of the viral condition arranged by the National Public Health Laboratory in collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organisation PAHO.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr.Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie said the workshop is part of the public health system’s preparedness and response activities in the case of an outbreak.
Dr Bisasor-Mckenzie said human monkeypox virus, if found in Jamaica, would be considered an exotic or unusual communicable disease and should therefore be reported as a Class 1 notifiable disease.
She said healthcare workers (public and private) must report cases immediately on suspicion to the respective parish health department and the National Surveillance Unit.
