Monkeypox

Overview

Since the beginning of 2022, 3,413 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from 50 Member States that are not endemic for the monkeypox virus, across five WHO regions (data as of 22 June).

One death has been reported in Australia, a non-endemic country. The WHO region which the highest proportion of reported cases is the European Region (86%, 2933/3414).

Most cases reported in non-endemic countries so far have been presented through sexual health or other primary health services and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men (MSM). Most confirmed cases with a travel history have reported travel to countries in Europe and North America, as opposed to countries in West or Central Africa where the virus is endemic.

WHO currently assesses the risk at the global level as moderate, however, the regional risk within the European Region is assessed to be high. On 23 June 2022, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee met and advised that currently, the monkeypox outbreak should not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Cayman Islands

There are no known cases of monkeypox virus detected in Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Islands now have the capacity to diagnose Monkeypox at the Cayman Molecular Laboratory.

Mental Health

The importance of our mental has increasingly been recognised in recent years. Globally, depression is a leading cause of disability and those with severe mental health conditions can have a much shorter life expectancy due to physical conditions which are preventable. Prior to the pandemic, it was estimated that one in eight individuals internationally were living with a mental disorder. Mental health conditions are also increasing prevalent among children and adolescents, and worldwide 20% are estimated to have a mental health condition.

There is significant stigma and discrimination towards those who struggle with their mental health. A consequence of the pandemic has been an increase in anxiety and depressive disorders, and simultaneously less access to services and support.

In the Cayman Islands, those using the inpatient facility at the mental health services are more often females than males. For the Health Services Authority in 2020, the average number of patients admitted quarterly with a mental health primary or secondary diagnosis was 110 patients. The top three diagnoses in 2020 were categorised under anxiety, depressions and other which included diagnoses such as Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

The Public Health Spotlight is published weekly by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

For more information, contact
gis@gov.ky