Virologist Prof Christopher Oura says that while persons should be concerned with the mpox virus they should be careful not to panic.
He told the Power Breakfast Show this morning that it’s not like Covid 19 that could be spread by aerosol droplets that remain in the air but through touch which makes it more controllable.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus determined that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Mpox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and other animals. Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
He said that it is important that we all are aware of how the illness is spread.
With reference to the dengue virus Dr Aura said that it has been causing problems all over the world including Trinidad and Tobago.
He stated it’s important to note that even in the dry season the mosquitos could be problematic especially if persons have receptacles that house the mosquito larvae.
He said that sadly it seems to be one of those vector borne diseases that increase with climate change and will continue to do so.