00:00The outbreak of the Mpox virus currently spreading throughout the African continent has been
00:06declared a global health emergency.
00:08Following an emergency meeting, the WHO issued its highest alert for the virus.
00:13Health authorities say the number of persons infected and deaths by this new strain of
00:17the virus surpasses last year's figures.
00:22Emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public
00:29health emergency of international concern.
00:31The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of Mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighboring
00:39countries that had not previously reported Mpox, and the potential for further spread
00:44within Africa and beyond is very worrying.
00:48It's clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks
00:54and save lives.
00:56Here at home, the health minister is assuring the public that this country's health sector
01:00is ready for the Mpox virus if it breezes TNT's shows.
01:06The Ministry of Health takes note of the WHO's release today about the outbreak of Mpox that
01:14is affecting the world.
01:17We may remember that we treated four cases of Mpox in 2022.
01:23The typical signs and symptoms to look out for are flu-like symptoms, fever, rash, blisters,
01:32and it must be remembered that this virus is transmitted via close contact, especially
01:38close sexual contact or contact with contaminated bed linens, crockery, etc.
01:46In the event that we have cases of Mpox in Trinidad and Tobago, we have the vaccines
01:51to treat people, we have the antivirals, and the isolation protocol is typically to
01:58isolate at home.
02:00People can be isolated at health facilities and our isolation rooms, especially if they
02:06are seriously ill.
02:08So the Ministry of Health will continue to update the population as this situation develops.
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