Fiji acts to protect against potential outbreak of monkeypox

Fiji’s Ministry of Health is developing strategies to protect the country from monkeypox.

The Ministry of Health stated that measures used to combat Covid-19 will be considered to assist Fiji in dealing with any potential cases.

According to Health Secretary James Fong, the symptoms of monkeypox are very similar to those of Covid-19.

Dr. Fong believes that basic hygiene practices like surface sanitization, masking, and hand sanitization are critical to preventing the spread of the disease.

He stated that health experts are monitoring global reports of monkeypox and developing disease-fighting strategies.

“They are keeping an eye on all of the other reported outbreaks that are occurring around the world. We have specific protocols in place to monitor those outbreaks and ensure that if they do arrive in Fiji, we can contain them.”

Dr. Fong stated that the ramifications of Covid-19 will cause slight to no disturbance to Fiji’s societal and fiscal development.

He stated that early detection is critical, so anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion should seek medical attention immediately.

Monkeypox is transmitted from animals to humans through contact with infected people’s clothing or linen, direct connection with monkeypox skin lesions, and exposure to respiratory droplets such as coughs, among other means.

It can be fatal to children and people with weakened immune systems.

According to the World Health Organization, three to six percent of infections result in death.

Until recently, monkeypox was only found in Western and Central Africa.

According to Dr. Aalisha Sahukhan, the disease is self-limiting, with an incubation period ranging from five to 21 days.

“When we say self-limited disease, we mean that the majority of cases recover without the need for medical intervention. Treatment may be beneficial. People are experiencing pains, headaches, and backaches, but they will fully recover in two to four weeks. We know that severe disease can occur, though it is uncommon, and that severe disease is more likely to affect people who have an immune system that is suppressed, as well as small children.”