In response to the disease's spread to 19 nations worldwide, the Ministry of Health implemented smallpox prevention efforts

DNHN - In addition to the need for areas to increase monitoring and early diagnosis of patients returning from monkeypox endemic countries, the Ministry of Health's Department of Preventive Medicine suggests interim preventative measures when the illness around the globe is complicated.

Among the measures are:

- Avoid direct contact with wounds, bodily fluids, droplets, and infected items and utensils, as well as close contact with persons who have smallpox.

- Wash your hands frequently with soap and hand sanitiser.

- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

- People experiencing symptoms of suspected instances should aggressively seek medical attention and assistance. 

- People with signs of suspected cases should aggressively self-isolate and avoid sex; people who have the disease must be medically isolated until they are cured. 

-Travellers to places where monkeypox is endemic should avoid contact with ill animals such as rats, marsupials, and primates (dead or living) that may carry the virus. Do not eat or come into touch with wild animals, do not consume undercooked meat, and do not consume diseased animal products.

The Ministry of Health also announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a definition of monkeypox cases.

Suspected monkeypox case: A person of any age living in a non-endemic country with an acute rash of unknown source and one or more signs or symptoms, after the 15th of March, 2022 (headache, fever (> 38.5oC), lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), muscular discomfort, back pain, weakness).

Possible case of monkeypox: A suspected case with one or more epidemiological factors such as direct contact with infected people, direct physical contact with skin or skin lesions, including sexual contact, or contact with contaminated items such as clothing, bedding, or utensils in the 21 days preceding the onset of symptoms.

Furthermore, the likely case had a history of travel to locations where monkeypox was endemic during the 21 days before symptom start, as well as several sexual partners within the 21 days before symptom onset. Positive orthopoxvirus serological test findings (in the absence of smallpox vaccination or exposure to other known strains of orthopoxvirus) and the symptoms listed above justify hospitalization.

A confirmed case of monkeypox has a positive Realtime PCR test result for the monkeypox virus.

Exclusion: A suspected or likely case with a negative monkeypox virus Realtime PCR test result. According to WHO guidelines, suspected cases of monkeypox should be evaluated and, if confirmed, isolated until the infected person's skin lesions are dry, scaly, and cured.

PV