LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi has begun screening for mpox at all ports of entry, health officials announced Sunday. This measure comes days after the country registered its first two suspected cases, which are currently awaiting laboratory test results.
The suspected cases involve a 31-year-old male being treated in hospital and a 17-year-old boy receiving care at home, according to health authorities.
This preventive action follows the World Health Organization’s declaration just over a week ago that the spread of the new strain of mpox is a public health emergency of international concern. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is identified as the epicenter of a more deadly strain of the virus that emerged last year and has since spread to more than 10 other African states.
Adrian Chikumbe, spokesperson for the Malawi Ministry of Health, clarified the country’s vaccination strategy: “It’s not given to just everyone like we are doing with the Covid-19 vaccine or other vaccines, this is only reserved for those who are at a very high risk.”
The screening at entry points is part of a broader set of preventive measures, including a public awareness campaign, especially through community health networks. Malawi has also set up a mobile diagnostic unit at a hospital in Lilongwe, the nation’s capital.
Carol Luka, a community health worker, advised the public: “My advice to people is that, when you meet a person or see someone who has mpox, please avoid any contact with them and also avoid contact with any materials that people with mpox have used.”
Malawi remains one of the few Southern African countries that have so far managed to avoid a confirmed mpox outbreak. The country’s health officials say they are planning for a worst-case scenario while implementing these preventive measures.
As the situation develops, Malawian authorities continue to urge vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines to prevent the potential spread of mpox within the country.
Source: africanews.com
