The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is taking preventive measures against monkeypox, in response to the global emergency announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 14, which details that in Africa there have been more than 15,000 infections and 461 deaths from this infection in 18 different countries.
The information was released by the Vice President of Communication, Tourism and Culture, Freddy Ñáñez, where it is highlighted that the Venezuelan State through the Ministry of People’s Power for Health and other entities in the field will implement a series of contingency measures to prevent the spread of this disease in the country.
As part of the prevention scheme, Venezuela is strengthening its sanitary and epidemiological surveillance measures in ports and airports for travelers coming from affected countries. It also has molecular diagnostic capacity at the national and regional level.
Likewise, the Bolivarian Government urges Venezuelan citizens to stay informed about the evolution of the epidemic only through official sources.
The main symptoms of the disease include: fever, skin rash and inflammation of lymph nodes, a skin rash that evolves sequentially from a macule to a papule, vesicle, pustule and scab that finally dries and falls off. It also established that this disease has a fatality rate of three to six percent.
Additionally, it warned that monkeypox is transmitted from one person to another through close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials.
Measures to be implemented:
– Travelers from countries where outbreaks have been confirmed will be monitored at airports and ports. To enter the country, they must report their health status and personal data in the epidemiological surveillance form for medical follow-up in order to detect any suspected case early.
– Our country has the medical, technological, scientific capacity and the inter-institutional immediate response teams for the comprehensive and timely approach to this situation that guarantees the diagnosis, medical care, follow-up and monitoring required with the application of the recommendations issued by the WHO.
– In addition to this, the country begins the research processes for the corresponding procedures to acquire the vaccine that guarantees the strengthening of the epidemiological fence for population groups with a high risk of exposure (immunosuppressed, pregnant women, sex workers and people with multiple sexual partners and close contacts in confirmed cases).
– Mpox is a disease that has no specific treatment, it must be guaranteed to alleviate the symptoms, avoid complications and prevent long-term consequences; the country’s doctors and health personnel are prepared and through the MPPS they will be guaranteed what is necessary for molecular tests and care in case of positive patients.
– Raise awareness among health professionals about the possibility of monkeypox infection, training them to identify, isolate and treat cases.
– Information campaigns to inform the population about symptoms, preventive measures and the importance of going to a health center if there is any suspicion.
– Immediately isolate any suspected case until it is proven negative and, if positive, until the symptoms are resolved.
– Contact tracing will be implemented and tests will be carried out on close contacts of confirmed cases.
– To continue risk communication activities and work with community councils and health committees.
