The Health and Wellness Ministry is to host a webinar on Thursday (May 26) to address concerns surrounding the monkeypox virus which has been discovered in more than a dozen countries.

This follows calls from Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Morais Guy for the Government to have persons coming from countries where the disease is prevalent, report to the health authorities.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-Mckenzie notes that while there has been no reported case of monkeypox in the country, the COVID-19 measures are a good defence against the illness.

She says monkeypox is a rare disease similar to smallpox.

Dr. Bisasor-Mckenzie explains that in countries where monkeypox is endemic, human to human transmission of monkeypox occurs by contact and droplet exposure through exhaled large droplets.

She notes that the incubation period of monkeypox is usually 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.

She is urging persons who travelled recently to visit the health department if they have symptoms of the disease.

The webinar on monkeypox will be held at 12:30 pm on Thursday.

The Health and Wellness Ministry says experts will explain the virus and answer questions from members of the public.