WHO Donates MPOX Test Kits to Maldives
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox) test kits to the Maldives as part of ongoing efforts to bolster the country’s preparedness against potential outbreaks.
The test kits were formally handed over to the Ministry of Health by Dr Padmal de Silva, with State Minister Ismail Sharif accepting the donation on behalf of the Health Ministry.
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WHO donated mpox test kits to the Ministry of Health, boosting our preparedness and response efforts against Mpox. Together, we're fortifying our efforts to combat the disease!
We extend our gratitude to WHO for their ongoing support.@WHOMaldives @WHOSEARO @HPA_MV #Mpox pic.twitter.com/zEeLcO7WG7— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) September 12, 2024
The WHO had previously declared the MPOX outbreak in Africa a global threat on 14 May. Cases of the disease have also been confirmed in several Asian countries, including Pakistan and India.
According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in the Maldives, the country is well-prepared for any potential outbreak. Measures taken include assessing the likelihood of the disease reaching the Maldives, implementing control strategies, and preparing for testing and treatment. However, no cases of MPOX have been reported in the Maldives to date.
The HPA addressed rumours circulating on social media, which claimed that a case of MPOX had been detected in Hulhumalé. The agency rejected these claims, confirming that no instances of the disease have been identified in the country.
MPOX is a viral disease transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals. Human-to-human transmission typically occurs through close physical contact. The virus was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Symptoms include coughing, pain, and pus-filled blisters on the body.
There are two identified strains of MPOX: clade 1, which is common in Central Africa, and clade 2, prevalent in West Africa. Clade 1 is associated with higher vulnerability. While the WHO declared MPOX a global health threat in May 2022, the threat status was lifted in May 2023 following a decline in cases. Despite this, the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen over 11,000 infections and 445 deaths since September of last year.
In 2024 alone, the WHO reports that more than 14,000 people have been infected globally, with 524 deaths recorded.
