By Yamikani Yapuwa

Blantyre, June 13, Mana: Ministry of Health says investigations on a suspected case of Monkey pox from Chiradzulu District Health Office tested negative to Monkey pox, meaning that there is no Monkey pox in Malawi.

In a press release issued on Sunday by the ministry, signed by Principal Secretary, Charles Mwansambo, the ministry says the case is not Monkey pox but rather disseminated Varicella disease caused by Varicella virus.

“Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that it has received a report from Chiradzulu District Health Office on a patient suspected of having Monkey pox.

“The Ministry immediately, using the WHO recommended Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, started investigating the case including getting a specialist opinion from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital which is indicating that it is not a case of Monkey pox but 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.

“The patient had not travelled outside the country and neither had he been in contact with any known case of Monkey pox,” reads the statement.

The ministry, however, said through the Public Health Reference Laboratory at the Community Health Sciences Unit (CHSU) in Lilongwe, they it will proceed to process samples from the case to guide the definitive diagnosis.

“The Ministry will continue working with the World Health Organization in monitoring the Monkey pox global situation.

“The Ministry is reminding the public to continue practicing good personal hygiene and also go to the nearest health facility without delay when they are feeling unwell,” it reads. 

A report from Chiradzulu District Health Office dated June 10, indicated that the patient who died on Friday morning was taken to the hospital on Wednesday and presented with painful rash all over the body with itchy and burning sensation.

Monkey pox had been spreading since May this year and as of June 8, there were 1285 laboratory confirmed cases, according to WHO.

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