Gerald Kampanikiza, News Reporter
Malawi Ministry of Health has said there is no Monkeypox virus in Malawi after a report from Chiradzulu District Health Office on a patient suspected of having monkeypox.
According to a statement from the ministry signed by Secretary for Health Dr Charles Mwansambo, after the ministry received the report, immediately using the WHO recommended Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), started investigating the case.
The process included seeking for a specialist opinion from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital which indicates that it is not a case of monkeypox.
“It is a disseminated varicella disease which affects the skin, brain, liver and lungs (encephalitis, hepatitis, and pneumonitis) and is caused by varicella virus, the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles,” Dr Mwansambo said.
He indicated that the patient had not travelled outside the country and neither had he been in contact with any known case of monkey pox.
“However, through the Public Health Reference Laboratory at the Community health Sciences Unit ( CHSU) in Lilongwe, the Ministry will proceed to process samples from the case to guide the definitive diagnosis,” he added.
Dr Mwansambo has therefore assured the general public that the Ministry will continue working with the World Health Organisation in monitoring the monkey pox global situation as he reminded the public to continue practising good personal hygiene.
