PNG facing high risk of monkeypox

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PAPUA New Guinea is at a high risk of monkeypox and people need to be vigilant, says Deputy Controller for the National Pandemic Response for the Coronavirus (Covid-19), Dr Daoni Esorom.
Dr Esorom’s caution comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the spread of monkeypox was a “public health emergency of international concern.”
Monkeypox is now on the same alert level as Sars-COV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, the current cause of the pandemic.
The risk for monkeypox globally is moderate, high in Europe and there is a clear risk of international spread.
WHO’s call is the strongest yet made by the agency and the United Nations.
Esorom said: “We must be ready to respond to the monkeypox virus in the middle of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.” Esorom said he highlighted the fact that PNG should do the following in order to detect and mitigate the spread of monkey pox;

  • DEVELOP a country strategy on monkeypox. This strategy must clearly define the interventions to prevent, monitor, detect, and clinically diagnose the cases. We should integrate these into the current Covid-19 pandemic response to avoid any duplication and wastage of limited resources;
  • DEVELOP a case definition of monkeypox in PNG to enable health workers to differentiate between monkeypox and other diseases that present with similar signs and symptoms; and,
  • WORK with partners to bring into the country laboratory tests that will help screen and diagnose orthorpox viruses, including monkeypox.