The Ministry of Health has confirmed two cases of mpox in Lilongwe District.
In a press statement released on Thursday, the ministry said the first case was reported on March 20 at Bwaila Hospital, and the second one was identified on April 9.
“Mpox is a viral disease that spreads from animals to humans and from human to human.
“It’s less severe than smallpox but can still cause fever, rashes, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes,” Secretary for Health, Sam Mndolo, said in the statement.
He further said: “Anyone can get infected with the Mpox virus. Children, pregnant women, people with underlying immune deficiencies and people with multiple sex partners have a higher risk of getting the disease.”
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The ministry says there is no specific treatment for mpox but advises the public against panicking as the situation is under control.
“The public is further being advised to be on alert and take preventive and control measures as the disease has the potential to affect more people,” it says.
The disease can prevented by avoiding close or skin to skin contact with suspected or confirmed mpox case, ensuring good hygiene and using condoms during sexual activity.
The ministry says it is working with partners like the Lilongwe District Council, the World Health Organisation, the CDC in the US, Africa CDC and others to manage the situation.
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According to World Health Organization, identifying mpox can be difficult because other infections and conditions can look similar. Such conditions can include chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis and allergies.
“For these reasons, testing is key for people to get care as early as possible and prevent severe illness and further spread,” the organisation says.
