The Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging Jamaicans to safeguard themselves against the disease Mpox.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions.
It can also be fatal.
Cases of the highly contagious disease have increased in parts of east and central Africa.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization, WHO, declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Sweden has since confirmed its first case of the disease.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie, says while there are no reported cases of Mpox in Jamaica, citizens should be on alert.
Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie, Chief Medical Officer.
More than 400 people died during an initial outbreak of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The WHO is urging other countries to act quickly, as there are likely to be further imported cases of the disease in Europe over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the University of the West Indies says it’s ready and able to make rapid and accurate detections of Mpox, in the event it enters the region.
In a release on Thursday, the UWI says it has cutting edge virus sequencing technologies which can be used to detect Mpox.
The UWI says these technologies were first used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The University says it intends to dedicate its considerable research expertise for the public by working with regional partners to reduce the spread of the disease.
According to the UWI, its systems will be able to provide strong early detection mechanisms.
The University says it will work closely with regional Health Ministries, the Caribbean Public Health Authority, and the Pan American Health Organization to respond to any introduction of the virus in the region.
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