Malawi: Suspected Monkeypox patient dies in Chiradzulu - varicella (chickenpox) confirmed instead

[Shiloh]

Source: https://malawi24.com/2022/06/12/suspected-monkeypox-patient-dies-in-chiradzulu/

Suspected Monkeypox patient dies in Chiradzulu
Jun 12, 2022 Mwayi Mkandawire Top News

Chiradzulu District Hospital has sent to Lilongwe samples taken from a suspected Monkeypox patient who died Friday morning at Chiradzulu District Hospital.

According to a report from Chirazulu District Health Office dated June 10, the patient was taken to the hospital on Wednesday and presented with painful rash all over the body with itchy and burning sensation.

The rash started from the head and spread to all parts of the body. The patient also had fever, and body pains and back pains

The symptoms started on 05th June, he was admitted at the Chiradzulu district hospital on 08th June, he was taken to Isolation Ward on 09th June after suspecting monkeypox and was pronounced dead in the morning of 10th June 2022.

From interviews, health workers noted that there was no known case of Monkeypox from the area where the suspected case was coming from, he has no travelling history to link with the infection transmission or that it has been imported from somewhere. The patient was working as a farmer and there was no person at home with the same condition...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://malawi24.com/2022/06/13/chiradzulu-patient-did-not-have-monkeypox-ministry-of-health/

Chiradzulu patient did not have monkeypox — Ministry of Health
Jun 13, 2022 Russell Kondowe Health

The Ministry of Health says investigations have shown that a patient who died on Friday at Chiradzulu District Hospital did not have monkeypox.

Secretary for Health Dr Charles Mwansambo said the Ministry immediately, using the WHO recommended Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), started investigating the case including getting specialist opinion from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

“[The investigation] is indicating that it is not a case of Monkey pox but disseminated varicella disease which affects the skin, brain, liver and lungs (encephalitis, hepatitis, and pneumonitis) and is caused by varicella virus, the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles,” said Mwansambo.

He added that the patient had not travelled outside the country and neither had he been in contact with any known case of Monkey pox...