Mozambique: No need to isolate mpox patients in health facilities

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Mozambique: No need to isolate mpox patients in health facilities

12:26 CAT | 07 Aug 2025

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: AIM]

The Mozambican health authorities have announced that there is no need yet to isolate those patients diagnosed with the disease mpox (formerly known as monkey pox) in health facilities, although the country has already recorded 31 positive cases.

According, to the National Director of Public Health, Quinhas Fernandes, speaking to reporters on Wednesday in the southern city of Matola, it is not yet necessary to isolate the patients “because they are progressing satisfactorily, even while in home isolation, as observed with the cases that have already recovered.”

“Mpox, as we have been explaining, is a zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals to humans) of viral origin and is generally self-limiting. Therefore, it will start and end. Most patients will progress satisfactorily and will not require hospitalization”, he said.

According to Fernandes, all provinces have the capacity to isolate cases that require hospital intervention “but it doesn’t seem necessary to use many of the beds that are prepared, since most patients will not require hospitalization.”

He also revealed that the authorities’ capacity to identify suspected cases is tending to improve. “As I’ve been explaining, there are several other diseases, such as chickenpox, which have a very similar clinical picture. So, it’s important to raise the level of suspicion and for these suspected cases to be tested. It’s good to know that these cases are negative”, he said.

Regarding vaccination against the disease, he insisted that this is only “a complementary measure”. He recalled that a case of the disease was controlled in Maputo in 2022. “This didn’t require vaccination. Even so, the country will request vaccines, despite limited access”, said Fernandes.

“Vaccination is important in certain epidemiological contexts”, he said. “In the coming days, we will request this vaccine, but unfortunately, there are many restrictions globally on the mpox vaccine. Several countries have requested it, and not all have qualified for it”.

According to the last update on M-pox, issued by the National Public Health Directorate, the total number of confirmed cases in the country has increased from 29 to 31. Of the 31 confirmed cases nationwide, 28 (92.3%) are in Niassa province, two in Manica province, and one in Maputo province. Currently, 18 positive cases are under clinical monitoring.

The Health Ministry has continued to call on people to redouble their preventive measures by avoiding physical contact with infected people or those with suspected symptoms, washing their hands frequently, and not sharing personal items such as clothes or towels.

Source: AIM