Ministry of Health has confirmed two cases of M-Pox disease in Lilongwe after samples collected from suspected cases for laboratory investigations tested positive.
Secretary for Health Samson Mndolo said in a statement issued yesterday that the suspected cases were reported at Bwaila Hospital on March 20 and April 9 this year.
“Samples were collected from the suspected cases for laboratory investigations at the National Reference Laboratory in Lilongwe and results came out positive on April 16 2025,” he said.
Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted from animals to humans and from humans to humans characterised by fever and rash.
According to Mndolo, Mpox virus spreads through contact with respiratory droplets, lesion material, body fluids, contaminated materials and surfaces which enter the body through the respiratory tract, mucous membranes and broken skin.
“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,” says Mndolo in the statement.
The ministry says while there is no specific treatment for the disease, its treatment remains supportive and symptomatic.
However, Mndolo says the disease can be prevented by avoiding close or skin to skin contact with suspected or confirmed cases, observing good hygiene and using condoms during sexual activity.
The ministry has since advised the public to be on alert and take preventive and control measures as the disease has the potential to affect more people and also not to panic as the situation is under control.
Mndolo says they are working closely with Lilongwe District Council, the World Health Organisation, CDC USA, Africa CDC and other partners to ensure proper surveillance, response, and timely treatment of cases.
Health rights activist Maziko Matemba has commended the ministry for providing timely alert to be vigilant with the signs and symptoms of the disease.
“We urge the public to follow the measures government has put in place but also government should continue updating the public including enacting necessary public health systems in place on prevention to the suspected areas including providing support to hospitals,” he said in an interview.
