CARICOM Chair Dickon Mitchell Warns Region About Mpox, Calls for Increased Vigilance

August 23, 2024 – Dickon Mitchell, Chair of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Grenada, is calling for increased vigilance regarding Mpox in the Caribbean, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14, 2024.

He encourages citizens to stay informed through updates from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and local health authorities and to report any unusual rashes or symptoms, particularly for those who have traveled to affected areas. Mitchell outlined a coordinated response involving the CARICOM Secretariat and CARPHA, which will monitor incoming passengers and identify potential cases. He emphasized the need for collective action to protect community health amid the ongoing situation, especially given the current outbreak’s prevalence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although no Mpox clade 1b cases have been reported in the Caribbean, heightened surveillance and preparedness are essential. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, can spread through contact with infected individuals or materials. He has promised regular updates on the situation as more information becomes available.