The Health and Wellness Ministry is urging Jamaicans to be alert to the threat of Mpox, formerly Monkeypox.

The Mpox alert follows yesterday’s declaration of the virus as a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO’s declaration, which is the second of its kind in two years, followed an outbreak of Mpox in parts of Africa.

Canada and Sweden have already reported new cases.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor Mckenzie says though there is no reported case of the virus in Jamaica, citizens should be on the alert and take the necessary safety precautions.

M-pox is transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person.

It causes flu-like symptoms, skin lesions and can be fatal, with four in 100 cases leading to death.

For more information on M-pox, persons are urged to contact the nearest parish health department or call 888-one-love (663-5683).