Health Protection Agency (HPA) has stated that it is preparing means of testing for monkeypox, due to the high worldwide prevalence of the disease.
HPA made the statement in a press release following the decision of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to label monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) after stating that the rapidly spreading outbreak represents a global health emergency. The PHEIC is the WHO’s highest level of alert, designed to trigger a coordinated international response and unlock funding to collaborate on sharing vaccines and treatments. The latest reports show that monkeypox has affected over 15,000 people in 72 countries, resulting in five deaths.
In the press release, HPA stated that the spread of monkeypox in other countries shows that the disease has a high chance of being detected in the Maldives. The health agency added that the means of transmission is different from that of COVID-19 and advised individuals who show symptoms of monkeypox to refrain from being in close contact with others and receive immediate testing and treatment. It noted that the chance of an outbreak is low but that individuals should still take precautionary measures such as being diligent in washing their hands and wearing masks, as well as avoiding crowded places.
Furthermore, HPA stated that it is monitoring the international situation and preparing means of testing for monkeypox and treating the disease in the Maldives. As such, health workers are working together to establish a system by which testing and treatment can be conducted in an organised manner. The work involves enhancing surveillance mechanisms, formulating the guideline for treatment, and procuring vaccines and other medicine and medical resources.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease that is usually mild and is endemic in parts of west and central Africa. The transmission of the virus among humans is limited, but it can happen through close skin contact, air droplets, bodily fluids, and virus-contaminated objects, and can be contained through such measures as self-isolation and hygiene. Monkeypox can cause a range of signs and symptoms. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. It is followed or accompanied by the development of a rash which can last for two to three weeks.