No Mpox cases confirmed yet
The health ministry is awaiting laboratory results from three suspected Mpox (monkeypox) cases. In a press release, executive director Ben Nangombe said 18 patients with Mpox symptoms were tested in private and government facilities - 15 tested negative and the other three are still awaiting their results.
“It is important to note that all individuals examined for Mpox are considered suspected cases until laboratory confirmation is available.” If the laboratory results are negative, the patient in question will continue to be monitored and, if necessary, examined for other diseases, he said.
“At the time of writing this media release, no confirmed Mpox case has been recorded in Namibia,” the ministry added.
It further assured the public that the country is “adequately prepared to respond to public health emergencies and disease outbreaks such as Mpox”.
Isolation facilities
Regarding isolation facilities, the ministry said 25 of the 36 hospitals across the country have immediately available isolation facilities to accommodate patients with suspected infectious diseases.
“Our facilities are therefore able to accommodate suspected or confirmed Mpox cases that meet the criteria for hospitalisation. In addition, we are in the process of repurposing the isolation facilities in 11 hospitals to receive Mpox cases - should this be necessary - as some of the isolation facilities established in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have been repurposed to provide other healthcare services," Nangombe explained.
“It is important to note that all individuals examined for Mpox are considered suspected cases until laboratory confirmation is available.” If the laboratory results are negative, the patient in question will continue to be monitored and, if necessary, examined for other diseases, he said.
“At the time of writing this media release, no confirmed Mpox case has been recorded in Namibia,” the ministry added.
It further assured the public that the country is “adequately prepared to respond to public health emergencies and disease outbreaks such as Mpox”.
Isolation facilities
Regarding isolation facilities, the ministry said 25 of the 36 hospitals across the country have immediately available isolation facilities to accommodate patients with suspected infectious diseases.
“Our facilities are therefore able to accommodate suspected or confirmed Mpox cases that meet the criteria for hospitalisation. In addition, we are in the process of repurposing the isolation facilities in 11 hospitals to receive Mpox cases - should this be necessary - as some of the isolation facilities established in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have been repurposed to provide other healthcare services," Nangombe explained.
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