MPOX – Malawi Situation.
by
Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Grace Funsani, Noel Khunga, Chriswell Nkoloma and Settie Kanyanda.
Malawi has confirmed two new Mpox cases on May 29, 2025, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 17 since the initial declaration on April 17, 2025. Both new cases are from Lilongwe district: a 21-year-old male from Area 23, Traditional Authority (TA) Tsabango, and a 44-year-old male from Area 25A, TA Chitukula.
Both individuals presented at Bwaila Hospital on May 28, 2025, with symptoms including fever and skin rash. No underlying conditions were reported for either case. Samples were collected on the same day and tested positive for Mpox in the laboratory. The 21-year-old is a student, while the 44-year-old is a driver. Neither case has a history of international travel
The Lilongwe district Rapid Response Team (DRRT) has collected samples, and the confirmed cases are currently on home isolation. The DRRT also plans to conduct contact tracing and further investigations to establish the possible source of infection. These new cases add to the 12 previously confirmed infections. As it was of May 27, 2025, six of the earlier confirmed cases had recovered and been discharged. The confirmed cases are predominantly male and range in age from 2 to 41 years. Lilongwe accounts for the majority of cases, with single cases in Mangochi and Ntcheu districts.
“The first case was recorded in Lilongwe district on April 16, 2025. Later additional cases were registered. All the cases are males within the age range of 2 to 38 years: a 30-year-old from Phwetekere- Area 36, a 33-year-old from Kawale 2, 38 year-old from Chilinde, a 35 year-old from Area 36, Kandikole, an 18 year-old from Area 36, Tumbwe, Traditional Authority (TA) Tsabango, Lilongwe district, and a two year-old child from Michesi 1 village, TA Mponda, Mangochi district.Three cases from Lilongwe have recovered and have been discharged from clinical care, while the other three are still under clinical care . No death has been reported.”
Grace Fusani – Mpox Incident Manager, PHIM.
What response activities have so far been undertaken ?
PHIM has activated its Incident Management System (IMS) for Mpox and is working with various sectors, including animal health, civic education, and disaster management, using One Health Approach
1. Surveillance.
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to conduct contact tracing and investigate cases. Surveillance systems have been enhanced at the community level, health facilities, and points of entry (PoEs).
The district team are being trained on Mpox through a collaborative effort involving Amref Health Africa, the US CDC, and the World Bank, which have provided the necessary resources. Initial training, supported by Amref Health Africa, has been conducted in the Chitipa and Karonga districts. This district level training will be extended to all districts to ensure comprehensive staff preparedness covering critical areas such as Mpox Etiology and Virology, Transmission Pathways, Prevention and Control Measures, and Clinical Management etc.
2. Case Management.
Case management guidelines have been developed and distributed, and isolation facilities have been identified.
3. Labolatory.
Samples from suspected cases are being tested using PCR, and genomic sequencing of the Mpox virus is underway.
Essential medicines and PPEs have been distributed to districts and Messages about Mpox prevention are being disseminated in local languages through various channels, including posters, social media, leaflets, and audio recordings. PHIM is working to address these challenges and will continue to provide updates on the situation.
[…] ministry of health has announced three new cases of mpox in the capital, Lilongwe, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 11 since the country’s first was reported in […]
[…] ministry of health has announced three new cases of mpox in the capital, Lilongwe, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 11 since the country’s first was reported in […]
[…] ministry of health has announced three new cases of mpox in the capital, Lilongwe, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 11 since the country’s first was reported in […]
[…] ministry of health has announced three new cases of mpox in the capital, Lilongwe, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 11 since the country’s first was reported in […]