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Abu Dhabi implements strict preventive measures against monkeypox virus

Authorities have asked health facilities to report any suspected cases

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The local health authorities in Abu Dhabi have implemented strict preventive measures against monkeypox virus after a rising number of cases reported globally.

“As part of the continuous efforts to ensure the health and wellbeing of the community, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and local healthcare authorities continue their coordination and are implementing strict preventive measures counteracting the spread of infectious diseases,” the ADPHC said in a statement.

The authorities have urged all healthcare facilities in the Capital to remain vigilant for any suspected cases of monkeypox.

“In line with the regular assessment towards the global healthcare landscape done by ADPHC, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) urges all healthcare facilities operating in the emirate to be vigilant about any suspected or confirmed Monkeypox cases,” the DoH noted.

In the past days, countries in Europe and the US have reported several cases of monkeypox.

The authorities have instructed all healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi to take the necessary precautionary and medical measures to detect any infection cases.

“All healthcare providers are required to report any suspected, probable or confirmed case in the Infectious Disease Notification System as part of the measures to manage and limit the infectious diseases for the health and safety of the community,” the DoH added.

According to the World Health Organisation, monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.

The ADPHC pointed out that animal-to-human monkeypox virus transmission occurs from direct contact with blood and bodily fluids.

The human-to-human transmission is limited and can result from close contact via respiratory particles droplets that require prolonged face-to-face contact. In addition to transmission possibility upon contact with surfaces contaminated with patient fluids.

Typically, the disease begins with general symptoms characterised by fever, myalgia (muscle aches), intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), followed by skin eruption that concentrates on the face and then spreads to other body parts.

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The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 16 days and symptoms last from 14 to 21 days.

Due to the transmission mode and the endemicity of the virus in certain parts of Africa, its human-to-human transmission is considered limited and within the range of direct contact with the patient or contaminated fluids.

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