Test tubes labelled "Monkeypox virus positive and negative" are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. - Reuters
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 21 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): No cases of monkeypox had been detected in Brunei as of June 15 despite 2,027 transmissions being reported in 36 other countries.
This was disclosed by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar and Public Health Consultant Dr Justin Wong during the weekly Ministry of Health (MoH) press conference.
The minister said the ministry is monitoring health clinics while also making preparations to identify patients with monkeypox symptoms. There are also measures in place for frontline doctors, particularly those at accident and emergency (A&E), to streamline the process to contact Dr Wong’s team for examination and treatment.
Dr Wong said the main symptoms of monkeypox include fever, rashes, swelling of lymph nodes while other indications include headache, muscle pain and fatigue.
He said symptoms are similar to those of chickenpox with shingles or other skin infections also seen.
“In many cases, the symptoms will disappear in two to four weeks. If anyone experiences these symptoms, they are advised to see a doctor for further medical investigation,” said the public health consultant.
He added that the disease usually transmits through physical contact and most cases are due to intimate activities.
Dr Wong said PCD analysis shows transmissions in non-endemic countries are traced to the West African clade.
Dr Wong said the MoH has outlined a preparation plan to prevent and manage monkeypox. These include surveillance, investigation and contact tracing. He also said laboratory tests for monkeypox will be conducted using the RT-PCR.
Dr Wong said part of the plan includes public awareness campaigns particularly among high risk groups.
He also outlined that testing and medical treatment of monkeypox cases will be done at the National Isolation Centre (NIC) in Tutong District.
Meanwhile, the number of new Covid-19 cases surpassed the 700-mark as 751 cases were reported yesterday while over 99 per cent of the cases detected last week were with the use of antigen rapid tests (ARTs).
This was revealed by Dr Mohd Isham at the weekly press conference for Covid-19 updates yesterday.
Yesterday’s new infections were all detected using ARTs and it brought the number of active cases to 4,129.
Despite the recent spike in cases, the minister urged the public to remain calm as over 99 per cent of new infections are in Categories 1 and 2, not requiring hospital treatment, and the number of patients in Categories 4 and 5 remains low. There is one case in Category 5 needing treatment in intensive care unit and one case in Category 4 requiring respiratory assistance and under close monitoring.
Dr Mohd Isham said two Covid-19 patients passed away in the past 24 hours but their deaths are not categorised as death due to the virus.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate continues to increase with 72.3 per cent of Brunei’s population having received three doses and 5.2 per cent being administered the fourth shot.
Some 71.4 per cent of children aged five to 11 received two doses of the vaccine and 48.5 per cent of those aged 12 to 17 have been administered three shots. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
