Ministry of Health and Wellness Updates on Mpox Situation in Barbados
August 22, 2024
Ministry of Health and Wellness clarifies misinformation on mpox, stating no active cases in Barbados. Two imported cases since 2022 with no local spread. Vaccines not currently required in low-risk settings.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has advised that a statement currently circulating about a case of mpox, (previously known as monkey pox), is not current.
The information in question comes from a statement made by former Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill in July 22, 2022.
The Ministry would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on mpox, verifying that, currently, there are no known active cases on island. Since the initial case in 2022, there have been two additional imported cases. One was recorded in January 2024, and the second one, six weeks ago. Contact tracing indicates that there was no in country spread.
The World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization have advised that vaccines are not currently required in low-risk settings such as Barbados. However, Barbados is part of a global community of nations and is, therefore, not exempt from the possibility of mpox and other public health threats.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to take all reasonable measures to protect the public from the importation and spread of mpox. (MHW/BGIS)
