Monkeypox victim is recovering well, says top health official
A Bermuda resident who became the island’s first confirmed case of monkeypox is not in hospital and is now recovering from the disease, according to the chief medical officer.
It remains unknown if the virus, which is spread by close personal contact, has infected others on the island.
The case, announced by health officials last Thursday, is the island’s only known infection.
“We are conducting contact tracing around them to find out who they have been exposed to,” Ayo Oyinloye said. “We are watching them to see if they develop this infection.”
No further details were given on the infected person, to protect their privacy.
But the CMO said they were “fine”.
The virus, which causes flu-like illness and a rash, has spread around the world since a cluster of infections was identified in Britain in early May.
Severe cases can lead to painful skin lesions.
According to the World Health Organisation, the incubation period for the illness is typically six to 13 days – but the onset of symptoms can take as long as 21 days in some cases.
The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO on Saturday.
Bermuda health authorities, including port officials, have been on the alert for cases since May.
* Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.
* Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox.
* Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
