LUSAKA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has intensified surveillance measures against mpox, which has broken out in some neighboring countries.
While the country has not recorded any cases, Zambian Minister of Health Elijah Muchima said on Thursday that the government is not sitting idly by, but has intensified surveillance areas, especially at border entry points, to prevent an outbreak of the disease.
According to Muchima, there have been 37 suspected cases so far, but none of them tested positive.
"With the increase in mpox cases being recorded in neighboring countries, accompanied by the high (level of) cross-border trade and movement of people in this global village, Zambia stands at a higher risk of importing the disease," he said while addressing the parliament.
"It is with such understanding and background that the government has scaled up efforts to prevent and prepare for a potential outbreak," the minister added.
The ministry has trained more than 200 healthcare workers nationwide in mpox case management, while the procurement of highly sensitive test kits and enhanced point-of-entry screening tools are underway. The ministry has also launched countrywide public health campaigns to inform and educate the public on the disease, said Muchima.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus that is spread through close contact, with symptoms including fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned of an "upward trend" in mpox cases across Africa.
