Update on Mpox Situation in Barbados: Ministry of Health Reports No Active Cases, Advises on Vaccine Requirement
August 22, 2024
Ministry of Health and Wellness clarifies misinformation on mpox (monkeypox) case in Barbados. No active cases reported, with two imported cases since 2022. Vaccines not 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 monkeypox), is not current.
The information in question comes from a statement made by former Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill on 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)
