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Zimbabwe Cabinet Adopts Precautionary Measures Against Monkeypox

Zimbabwe Cabinet Adopts Precautionary Measures Against Monkeypox

The Zimbabwean Cabinet met Tuesday and approved a number of measures meant to prevent the spread of monkeypox in the country. There are no cases of monkeypox reported in the southern African country but neighbouring South Africa has reported a case while over 66 people have died of monkeypox on the African continent. 

Recent cases of monkeypox were first recorded on 13 May 2022 in Europe and North America and over a dozen WHO member states that have in the past not regularly reported the monkeypox virus, across three WHO regions. The government said during a post-cabinet media briefing:

The nation is informed that Cabinet also received a report on the global monkeypox outbreak that has so far been detected in 42 countries. Cabinet wishes to inform the public that there are no cases of monkeypox reported in Zimbabwe. The country has, however, put surveillance, laboratory testing and case management measures in place in preparation for any potential outbreak. The public is urged to put emphasis on implementation of Public Health and Social Measures that are currently being used for COVID-19 such as regular washing of hands and social distancing, since these measures have been proven to also work for monkeypox.

Cabinet wishes to warn the public that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. In view of the global outbreak of monkeypox, Cabinet has approved the following measures:

(a) Zimbabwe should remain vigilant and strengthen COVID-19 testing at all levels;

b) Provinces should come up with innovative strategies to increase vaccination coverage and focus on the elderly and those with underlying chronic health conditions;

c) Implementation of all COVID-19 public health and social measures must be continued;

d) Our country must take advantage of lessons learnt from the COVID-19 response and mount a strong monkeypox preparedness and response strategy; and

e) The Risk Communication Sub-Committee must immediately embark on a monkeypox information dissemination exercise.

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