Blantyre records Mpox suspected case

The Blantyre District Health Office has recorded a suspected case of Mpox currently in isolation at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

The case was detected in Chikwawa district where the patient presented rash, fever and general body pains.

Director of Health and Social Services at Blantyre DHO, Gift Kawalazira says they are conducting tests on the patient to ascertain the illness.

“He developed some signs and symptoms that are actually similar to those of Mpox. So, we are isolating him to carry out further tests so that he is just a suspect and when the results are out, we will know what is actually going on with the patient,” he explains.

Kawalazira added that the patient has informed them that this is not the first time for one to present such symptoms in his village.

He has since appealed to the public to report to their nearest facilities if they show signs and symptoms of the disease.

Meanwhile, the Blantyre District Health Office-DHO has started conducting enhanced screening of Mpox at Chileka International Airport for all travelers in order to detect and prevent spread of Mpox among the population.

Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that has affected over 50,000 people globally with over 17,000 suspected cases in Africa.

It was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization WHO since July, 2022.