The ministry of health has responded to calls to give more details on their findings on cases of Mpox in The Gambia. After their first press release Foroyaa observed that they did not give any details on the travel history of the patient, age, gender, residence, and other relevant data that could guide short-, medium- and long-term preventive measures for the spread of the illness in the country.
Certain details are necessary if the media is to sensitise the population instead of just ringing the alarm bell.
According to the ministry of health, the patient was a 26 year-old Gambian female residing in the West Coast Region, who visited the Faji Kunda Major Health Centre, two days after manifesting the following symptoms:
General rashes, fever, headache, general body pain, swollen lymph nodes.
The release indicated that out of 17 suspected cases tested, 16 turned out to be negative, while this one was positive.
Hence the ministry should accompany the community, especially the family of the patient to know how the illness spreads and early symptoms. The information should go to the larger society so that each person could go to the nearest clinic should one see similar symptoms in one’s body. The ministry has developed the following take aways for the population:
“Mpox is a communicable viral illness that spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated surfaces and materials. Common early symptoms include fever, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and fatigue.”
The advice of the ministry is for those experiencing symptoms suggestive of Mpox should immediately self-isolate at home and contact the toll-free National Hotline at 1025 for guidance and support to visit the nearest health facility. The ministry also advised that timely reporting and cooperation with the health authorities are critical to preventing further transmission.
All Gambians should therefore observe these recommendations to prevent Mpox from spreading. The public health unit should be strengthened.
The older generation of grandparents who witnessed the colonial days usually emphasise that public health workers used to visit every home on a periodic basis, examine the drains, inspect meat at the slaughterhouses, visit markets to ensure that there is general environmental cleanliness. Why is the same thing not being done? Mpox will spread at a very rapid pace if congestion such as the ones found near the Sandika area in Serekunda continue unabated without any action by the public health officials or those responsible for the environment.
