Ministry of Health has dismissed allegations that the country registered Monkey pox virus following the death of a man in Chiradzulu district.

In a statement, Secretary for Health Charles Mwansambo said investigations done indicated that the person has disseminated varicella disease which affects the skin, brain, liver and lungs.

Spokesperson for the ministry Adrian Chikumbe said that the results from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre have now been sent to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe for validation.

Meanwhile, Health expert Professor Maureen Chirwa has said the disease is still a threat to the country as such the ministry should intensify its surveillance.