Guyana Gov’t seeking to secure monkeypox vaccine by end of September

An order has been placed with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) by the Guyana government to ensure Guyana receives a portion of the monkeypox vaccine by the end of September.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony revealed that the government is making significant efforts, although the supply of the vaccine is limited worldwide.

“The supply of these vaccines is very limited and it’s a very scarce commodity right now in the world but nevertheless, we are trying to get some doses into Guyana for persons who might be exposed,” Dr. Anthony said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 update.

It was pointed out that monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the same that causes smallpox.

Minister Anthony said that symptoms of the viral infection are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. It is not related to chickenpox.

As such, there are no treatments specifically for monkeypox infections. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox infections.

The minister explained how persons could become infected and how they could stay clear of the virus.

“In terms of the human-to-human contact, that can be done in two ways, what we might call a direct contact, meaning that if you are in close proximity with someone who has been infected then you can get the virus,” Dr. Anthony said.

He continued, “And then you have indirect contact, they found that monkeypox can be on surfaces so if someone who has monkeypox, in a ward for example, they’re infected and you go without having on gloves, and you touch those surfaces, the chances are you can come in contact with the virus.”

The health minister revealed that studies have shown that with most persons who are infected, the effects start to wear off within 14-21 days. Persons can still develop complications because of secondary bacterial infections.

The minister stressed that while having monkeypox the persons may have other bacterial invasions of the already infected areas, resulting in an additional disease.

Dr. Anthony reiterated the need for Guyanese to take the necessary precautions to avoid contracting the virus. As such, currently the spread of the monkeypox is diverse, since there are about 45,000 cases globally in some 96 countries.