St Lucia: Ministry of Health reveals plan to tackle COVID-19, dengue and moneypox

St Lucia: Moses Jn Baptiste, Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Minister, has revealed plans to tackle COVID-19, Dengue and Monkey Pox.

Monkey Pox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in both humans and some other animals. Symptoms include rash, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, back pain and muscle pain. While no cases of Monkey Pox have been recorded in St Lucia, the Ministry is taking a proactive approach.

“Testing for monkeypox in the region is facilitated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA),” the Minister said.

“Patients with Monkey Pox are given symptomatic treatments for fever and for pain. Nutrition and rehydration are particularly important. The Ministry of Health has put the following in place. Public education and sensitization, health care working training and sensitization, a surveillance system, and testing with the Caribbean Public Health Agency. The Ministry of Health is also working on the establishment of in-country testing at the Ezra Long Laboratory at the Owen King EU Hospital and an Isolation and Treatment Ward at the Respiratory Hospital,” he added.

The Minister for Health also reminded St Lucians that the rainy season leads to an increase in Dengue cases.

“The Ministry of Health is monitoring the mosquito indices in the various communities and notes high levels from May 2022. As such, we have commenced activities to reduce and prevent an outbreak of dengue fever. These activities include the official launch of the dengue fever campaign on May 23 under the theme “A Clean Community Starts with Me” and educational activities in targeted communities. We began fogging operations from April of this year.”

The Minister added that public education activities would include school exhibitions and the airing of public announcements.

St Lucians are advised to continue to follow protocols to protect themselves from COVID-19. These protocols include hand sanitizing, wearing masks, social distancing and vaccinations.