Zimbabwe’s Health Ministry issues statement on Monkeypox outbreak

monkeypox g0b613e5b6 1280 — Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued a press statement on the outbreak of monkeypox.

The statement comes on the back of the disease finding its way into countries in which is endemic. Zimbabwe is one of those countries which does not have monkeypox as endemic. Endemic means regularly found in a specific area.

The Ministry says it reassures the public that the disease is not in Zimbabwe, saying, “The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to reassure the public that currently no cases have been reported in Zimbabwe, but it is monitoring the evolving situation of the outbreak in other countries with keen interest. The ministry has also placed its structures on high alert. Anyone who suspects that they have similar symptoms as that of monkeypox should report to the nearest health facility as soon as possible or call our toll-free line 2019 for assistance.”

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As of the 26th of May 2022, a total of 257 laboratory-confirmed cases and 120 suspected cases had been reported and zero deaths have been reported in non-endemic areas.