Jamaica has today confirmed its first locally transmitted case of monkeypox, bringing to three the overall case count on the island.
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says the third case apparently contracted the virus from someone on the island who already had it.
Speaking during a ceremony to mark the resumption of construction work on the Western Children & Adolescents Hospital in St. James, Tufton said the new case changes the complexion of the challenge that they face.
He says this third patient is being quarantined at home as their facility allows for it and if the patient is cooperative, this is what will be done with the cases.
Dr. Tufton adds the Health Ministry’s technical team is currently having dialogue on the matter of local transmission of the disease, that had been anticipated.
Apart from Jamaica, Bermuda, The Bahamas and Barbados are among the Caribbean countries reporting cases of the monkeypox.
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