Monkeypox threat to PNG ‘mild’

Health Watch

MONKEYPOX is a mild threat to Papua New Guinea for now but poses a public health risk to the country, National Pandemic Response deputy controller Dr Daoni Esorom says.
Dr Esorom highlighted the fact that according to their assessment, monkeypox was a mild threat but people had to be vigilant.
“Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease, that’s means it is transmitted from animals to humans,” he said.
“It is endemic in 11 countries in Central and West Africa.
“Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus includes variola virus (smallpox, eradicated in 1980), vaccinia virus, cowpox virus and others.
“The reservoir is unknown.
“The incubation period is usually from 6 to 13 days (ranging 5-21 days).
“The typical presentation of monkeypox consists of a short febrile prodromal period followed by progressive development of a classic rash.
“Monkeypox is transmission can occur via face-to-face exposure, direct physical contact, including sexual contact, or contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding.
“The illness begins like many acute viral diseases with fever (more than 38.5°C), headache, myalgia, backache, swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue.
“After a few days (1-3) the patient develops a rash.
“Often beginning on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body through the following stages; macules, papules, vesicles, pustules and scabs.
“The duration for the above symptoms is two to four weeks.
“The outbreak of monkeypox in non-endemic countries is still containable.” Dr Esorom said what PNG needed to do now was to undertake the following strategies to control the entry of monkeypox into the country and when it entered our borders:

  • RAISE awareness to our people;
  • ENHANCE clinical recognition of the disease to ensure early detection of cases and isolation of patients;
  • STOP the chains of transmission, intensified surveillance in certain population groups, investigate any clusters that may occur and conduct contact tracing;
  • PROTECT our healthcare workers and prevent transmission in healthcare settings through the wearing of personal protective equipment and scale up infection prevention and control health facilities; and,
  • INCREASE communication and community engagement to avoid stigmatisation of certain population groups and reduce the impact on societies, travel, and trade.