Abu Dhabi, Dubai step up surveillance over monkeypox

Health authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have urged medical facilities to remain vigilant over the Monkeypox disease, which has been reported in several countries.

The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi has called on all healthcare providers operating in the emirate to closely monitor any suspected or confirmed cases.

They are required to report any suspected, probable or confirmed case in the Infectious Disease Notification System.

In line with the regular assessment towards the global healthcare landscape done by @adphc_ae , the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi urges all healthcare facilities operating in the emirate to be vigilant about any suspected or confirmed Monkeypox cases. pic.twitter.com/b3r20sSvie

— دائرة الصحة - أبوظبي (@DoHSocial) May 20, 2022

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.#AbuDhabi #ahealthierabudhabi

— دائرة الصحة - أبوظبي (@DoHSocial) May 20, 2022

Meanwhile, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has issued a circular to healthcare facilities operating under its jurisdiction to enhance surveillance and ensure cases are immediately reported.

The DHA said it is raising the level of epidemiological surveillance of Monkeypox cases to ensure effective and optimal application of prevention and control measures for potential sources of the infection.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by a virus belonging to the Orthopoxviral genus in the Poxviridae family and transmitted from infected animals to humans.

The first human monkeypox infection case was discovered in Africa in 1970.

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.

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