Ministry of Health keenly monitoring the Global and Continental trend of Mpox since the declaration made by Africa CDC and WHO
The Ministry of Health is keenly monitoring the Global and Continental trend of Mpox since the declaration made by Africa CDC and WHO resulting to our earlier press release. As of 1st January – 3rd September 2024, a total of 24,940 suspected cases, 5,432 confirmed cases and 639 deaths (CFR: 2.4%) of Mpox have been reported from fourteen (14) countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa.
We are aware of the first confirmed case of the Mpox virus by Guinea Conakry health authorities, of a 7-year-old girl. The International Health Regulation IHR (2005) considers movement of people from across the globe through the borders to pose a serious health threat to the sub region.
However, there is no cause for panic as the Gambia does NOT HAVE ANY Mpox case and surveillance is strengthened at all levels from health facilities, communities, to points of entry (Land borders, Seaport and Airport).
Human-to-human transmission occur through contact with infected lesions, sex, contaminated clothes, respiratory droplets in close contacts, as well as mother- to-fetus transmission.
We therefore encourage the general public to practice the following public health preventive measures;
• Maintain high levels of hygiene especially hand washing
- Wear a mask in areas where people are sneezing or coughing
- Avoid casual sex
- Report to the nearest health facility if they have any of the following
symptoms
Symptoms - Fever, commonly the first symptom
- Rash on face, palms of your hands, soles of your feet, mouth, genitatia
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Back ache
- Fatique
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
Furthermore, all private health facilities are urged to work closely with authorities at the Ministry of Health for notification. The public is encouraged to call the Ministry of Health Toll-Free Number 1025 should they notice anyone with a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.