THE recent outbreak of the Mpox virus in various African countries, including non-endemic States, has jolted the Zimbabwean government into action, with authorities establishing strong disease surveillance systems.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation early this month declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security and a public health emergency of international concern, respectively after its reported presence in several African countries.
Mpox (formerly called monkey pox) is a rare viral infection that is endemic to Central and West Africa.
It spreads through close contact with people, animals or material infected with the virus.
In a statement this week, Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora warned the public of the on-going outbreak in non-endemic countries, including neighbouring South Africa.
He, however, said no cases had been recorded in the country.
The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) expressed hope that lessons learnt in responding to COVID-19 will go a long way in enhancing the preparedness and response to Mpox.
Responding to inquiries by NewsDay on the government’s preparedness in dealing with the outbreak, Public Health Adviser to the President and Cabinet and recently appointed World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa Emergency Preparedness and Response Technical Advisory Group member, Agnes Mahomva, said Zimbabwe had prepared for the disease, although no cases had been reported.
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She said the disease surveillance approach was to ensure that no cases are imported into the country from affected countries.
“In addition, a national Mpox preparedness and response plan is in place and is also being reviewed and updated in collaboration with all stakeholders,” Mahomva said.
She said a strong disease surveillance system that included tracking and tracing of any cases suspected and confirmed was in place.
Mahomva said guided by the COVID-19 response surveillance system, the government was using the same approach to keep Mpox under check and is ready to spring to action if cases are detected in the country.
“Lessons learnt from the country’s COVID-19 pandemic response surveillance system, that included a robust tracking and tracing system, are being used to further strengthen the existing routine disease surveillance system,” she said.
“The National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre here in Harare has stepped up its outbreak review meetings and collaboration with all stakeholders in line with recent WHO and Africa CDC outbreak guidelines.”
On medical resources in case of an outbreak, Mahomva said government had adopted a society preparedness and response approach to ensure stakeholders support and contribute to the national preparedness and response.
She said they had also ensured that there are adequate resources to deal with any eventuality while making sure there was efficient use of available resources.
In the statement this week, Mombeshora assured Zimbabweans that government had placed its structures on high alert while conducting preparedness and response activities.
“The public is urged to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility as soon as possible or use our toll free line: 2019 or the Ministry of Health and Child Care public relations department, +263 772 945 032,” he said.
ZADHR said with cases being reported in other parts of the World and Africa specifically, government should enhance Mpox surveillance, diagnostics, treatment and care facilities and awareness of the disease.
“ZADHR encourages citizens to take precautions related to the Mpox virus based on the most current advice from the Ministry of Health and Child Care and from public health officials,” the rights doctors said.
“As with COVID-19, ZADHR will continue to monitor the response and make recommendations to ensure that no lives are lost due to Mpox in Zimbabwe.”
Mpox is part of the family of viruses of smallpox and the symptoms are similar but it is not related to chickenpox.
Symptoms of Mpox can include fever, rash (that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth or other parts of the body especially hands, feet and chest).
It is also accompanied by a headache, muscle ache and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, respiratory symptoms include sore throat, nasal congestion or cough.
While there is no proven, safe treatment for the Mpox virus infection, the disease can be prevented through avoiding contact with animals that may harbour the virus.
Good hygienic practice after contact with infected animals or humans such as washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, use of personal protective equipment when caring for patients among other measures is also recommended.
