KUWAIT CITY, Aug 15: The Ministry of Health said on Thursday that it was following up on the spread of a new monkeypox variant in several African countries, a matter that prompted WHO to announce a global health emergency. In a statement, the ministry affirmed that it was working with regional and international partners to monitor the situation and prepare viable responses, revealing that Kuwait’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) was coordinating with several national entities in this regard.

Monkeypox, or Mpox is a viral disease that causes painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. The disease spreads via direct contact with infected individuals through sexual intercourse and touch or respiratory secretions, added the ministry. It indicated that a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test could verify infection, noting that treatment includes supportive care medicine that decreases symptoms or antibiotics for some cases.

The ministry said that preventative measures includes washing hands with water, soap, and disinfectants, avoiding promiscuity, and direct contact with individuals with apparent Mpox symptoms. Following the reporting of over 99,500 cases of Mpox worldwide, which led the World Health Organization (WHO) to yesterday declare a global emergency for the second time in two years, Dr. Ghanem Al-Hujailan, a consultant for epidemiological and internal diseases at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the concern that approximately 95 percent of the reported cases are occurring outside the virus’s usual areas and focal points of spread.

In a press statement, he explained that statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that the virus has spread to 122 countries, including 116 outside the areas previously identified as viral foci during the initial outbreak in 2022. What adds to the concern in the Arab and Gulf regions is that many Gulf and Arab countries reported cases of the new Mpox strain in August. About 88 cases were recorded in the Arab and Gulf countries including 16 cases in the UAE, eight in Saudi Arabia, five in Qatar, three in Oman and two in Bahrain. Lebanon announced the recording of 27 cases, Egypt three, Morocco three, Sudan 19 and one case each in Iran and Jordan.

Kuwait has not recorded any cases of Mpox and is currently free of the virus. However, this does not guarantee immunity to the disease. Should Mpox enter the country, it would be relatively easier to control compared to airborne diseases like the Coronavirus, as Mpox is slow spreading.

Globally, statistics show that the United States has reported the highest number of Mpox cases, with over 33,400 cases, Brazil with 11,200 cases, Spain with 8,100 cases, Colombia with 4,200 cases, and Mexico with 4,100 cases. Meanwhile, informed health sources affirmed the Ministry of Health’s readiness to address any potential cases of the virus. They confirmed that necessary precautionary measures are in place to confront the virus, including monitoring travelers from countries with recorded infections and inspecting goods and shipments arriving from abroad. In this regard, the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the Mpox outbreak in several African countries, especially following the declaration of a global health emergency and the emergence of a new strain of the disease.

The Ministry of Health affirmed that it is continuously coordinating with international partners at the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and the WHO to monitor the situation and prepare for epidemiological developments. It stated that the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) is working closely with all relevant parties to strengthen national efforts to prevent and combat infectious diseases. The ministry explained that Mpox is a viral disease with two sub-types. Its symptoms include rashes, blisters, mucosal lesions, fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.

Transmission can occur through direct physical contact with an infected person, particularly via sexual contact, kissing, or even touching. The disease can also spread through respiratory secretions. Diagnosis is confirmed through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Treatment generally involves supportive care and symptom management, though antivirals may be used in some cases. Prevention measures include maintaining good hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers, avoiding risky sexual practices, and refraining from direct physical contact with individuals showing symptoms. The ministry also recommended exercising caution when traveling to countries where cases of the disease have been reported.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies