The Caribbean Public Health Agency (Carpha) is urging member states to be vigilant, considering the World Health Organization on August 14, declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern .
The declaration came after an upsurge of infections by the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and an increasing number of cases in other African nations.
A statement from Carpha recently said it was the second PHEIC declaration related to mpox in two years and the highest level of global alert recognising the potential threat this virus poses to countries around the world.
Carpha interim executive director, Dr Lisa Indar, said the agency is monitoring the situation closely.
These include monitoring incoming passengers and, rapid/early identification of potential cases, and a well-co-ordinated regional and international response.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can spread easily between people and from infected animals.
It can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, such as during sex, and through contaminated materials like sheets and clothing used by an infected person.
Common symptoms are skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last two to four weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
Two mpox vaccines have been approved by the WHO-listed national regulatory authorities.
The process for Emergency Use Listing has been started, which improves the capacity for vaccine distribution in low-resourced areas and countries.