Malawi: Test results for the two suspected cases of monkeypox in Malawi have come out negative. The confirmation of this fact came from a statement from the Ministry of Health in Malawi on Monday.
The health ministry of the nation has been exercising significant caution in dealing with monkeypox. The nation had previously recorded two suspected infections of Monkeypox in different districts of Malawi.
The administration had been monitoring both the cases closely. In the recent testing, both the cases have been reported negative. According to the statement, laboratory confirmation was done by the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme laboratory.
The laboratory had done the testing on the patients in partnership with the Public Health Institute of Malawi in the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health has shared that the two suspected cases were admitted at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
On the other hand, Zomba District Hospital also reported a suspected case that was confirmed negative immediately. The officials have shared that WHO has proclaimed Monkeypox as a Public Health emergency in the later half of July.
The nations all over Africa have gone on high alert ever since the announcement was made.
Meanwhile, MoH has advised the public to continue observing prevention measures including avoiding physical contact with someone with the disease or contaminated materials, regular handwashing with soap, and reporting early to the nearest health facility if one experiences symptoms of any disease including fever, flu, or body aches.
Health Ambassador Maziko Matemba described the negative results for Monkeypox suspected cases as a good development, saying Malawians were anxious about the results.
“This is a relief but Malawians should not neglect the preventive measures for monkeypox or MPox such as maintaining good hygiene practices. This will go a long way to prevent the disease”, Matemba stated.
In a recent interview, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda disclosed that MoH is in talks with the World Health Organization and Africa Center for Disease Control to ensure Malawi receives the mpox vaccine.