MPOX – Malawi Situation.
by
Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Grace Funsani, Noel Khunga, Chriswell Nkoloma and Settie Kanyanda.
Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) today confirmed two new cases of Mpox, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 37 since the initial case was identified on April 17, 2025. The two new cases, both from Lilongwe district, are a 50-year-old male and a 31-year-old male. They reported to Kamuzu Central Hospital on June 16, 2025, and Bwaila Hospital on June 17, 2025, respectively. Both individuals presented with common Mpox symptoms, including fever, headache, and skin rash. No underlying health conditions were reported for either case.
Samples were collected on the same day of their hospital visits and sent for laboratory testing, which subsequently confirmed Mpox infection. Investigations are currently underway to determine the possible source of infection and to trace any contacts. Neither of the new cases has a history of international travel. In response to the new cases and the ongoing outbreak, the district’s Rapid Response Team (DRRT) has initiated contact tracing and further investigations to establish the potential source of infection.
“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.
Vincent Kamforzi, Data Manager – “The affected districts are Lilongwe, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima, Likoma, and NkhataBay.”
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 […]
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