MONROVIA, Liberia’s Health Authorities including the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), and the Ministry of Health have admonished Liberians across the country not to panic since the news of outbreak of monkey pox in Liberia because they (health officials) have the capacity to detect and conduct analysis of it.
Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, said National Public Health Reference Laboratory has confirmed a positive case of MONKEY pox, as such, the World Health Organization (WHO), has been duly notified about the confirmed case in line with the International Health Regulation (2005) protocol.
Dr. Jallah, said the latest detection marks the second time monkey pox has been confirmed in Liberia. The first detection was in 2018, describing the virus as a zoonotic infection that can spread from animals to humans, it can also spread from person-to-person.
Minister Jallah, made reference to a man believed to be a traveler who entered Maryland County with the virus. He reportedly went to the Pleebo Government’s Health facilities where it was proven to be the Monkey pox virus and has been taken into isolation and undergoing treatment.
For his part, the Deputy Director for Technical Services at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Dr. Julius S.N. Gilayeneh disclosed that Liberia has heightened its surveillance system to ensure active case detection at ports of entry, including all ports.
The two public health officials made the statements on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), Conference room on Capitol Hill, during its regular weekly press conference.
According to the health officials, surveillance team members were conducting case findings and contact tracing of persons the victim came in contact with.
The officials added that Liberia is in full readiness to work with other health partners in managing and controlling further spread of the monkeypox virus in Liberia.
For his part, the Deputy Director for Technical Services at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Dr. Julius S.N Gilayeneh indicated that the most common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
This is followed or accompanied by the development of a rash which can last for two to three weeks.
He further said if one contracts the virus, rashes can be found on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, eyes, mouth, throat, groin, and genital and/or anal regions of the body.
He noted that number of lesions (scratches) can range from one to several thousands. Lesions begin flat, then fill with liquid before they crust over, dry up and fall off, with a fresh layer of skin forming underneath.
“Symptoms typically last two to three weeks and usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever.
He noted that People remain infectious until all of the lesions have crusted over, the scabs fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath,” he said.
He stressed that, Monkeypox can spread from person to person through contact with an infected person’s lesions or scabs that may be found on the skin or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, throat, genitalia, anus, or rectum).
Dr. Gilayeneh noted that it may also be possible for it to spread through contact with an infected person’s body fluids such as blood, saliva, and semen for example during sexual contact, including oral and non-penetrative Contact, when providing care and when living in the same household.
“The virus may spread through respiratory particles, such as from talking, breathing, coughing or sneezing, during close contact,” he said.
Speaking on its prevention, Dr. Gilayeneh said monkeypox can be prevented by staying home and limiting contact with others if you have symptoms, or as recommended by your healthcare provider, avoiding close physical contact, including sexual contact, with someone who is infected with or may have been exposed to the monkeypox virus.
He further that it can also be prevented it people maintain good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes with the bend of your arm or wearing a well-fitting mask, cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and objects in your home, especially after having visitors.
“To lower your overall risk of getting infected with and spreading the monkeypox virus or sexually transmitted infections, we recommend using condoms and also practicing safe sex and. having fewer sexual partners, particularly those who are anonymous, even when they don’t have symptoms,” he said.
Written by T.R Dixon
