Bahrain is ramping up efforts to tackle monkeypox after the first case of the virus was reported in the country yesterday.
The symptomatic patient, a 29-year-old male expatriate, had arrived from abroad and is being isolated while receiving the necessary care, based on the adopted protocols, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
It affirmed that necessary measures were being taken to mitigate the spread of the virus through effective contact tracing and disease surveillance mechanisms.
“As part of our proactive efforts to combat the spread of monkeypox, the Health Ministry has put in place a contingency plan and conducted awareness sessions for health workers about the virus and its transmission modes,” the statement said.
The ministry has also set up a reporting mechanism for suspected cases at the Public Health Directorate, provided testing tools and adopted contact-tracing plans in addition to vaccinations.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed chaired an emergency meeting last night to discuss preparations to tackle the infection.
She stressed the ministry’s commitment to protect the health and safety of citizens and residents, and said epidemiological investigations will continue to curb the spread of monkeypox.
So far, monkeypox has spread to more than 102 countries with about 60,000 cases detected, according to the latest figures from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Typical symptoms include distinctive sores or skin blisters, headaches, fatigue and fever. There are several modes of transmission for monkeypox, including skin-to-skin contact or touching infected materials such as bed linen.
However, it is fatal in fewer than one case in 10, with most people making a full recovery within a few weeks.
National Taskforce to Combat Coronavirus (Covid-19) monitoring committee head and BDF Hospital microbiologist Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani allayed fears over the spread of the virus.
“Monkeypox is different from the coronavirus and there is no need to worry as Bahrain has put in place all measures to limit its spread,” the medic said on his Twitter account yesterday.
“It is important to know that the virus that causes monkeypox, like other viruses, is not specific to a particular group and requires awareness of everyone to prevent it.
“The Health Ministry developed an emergency proactive plan after the first infection was announced in a number of countries, to preserve public health.”
Dr Al Qahtani said the first confirmed case of monkeypox in Bahrain has been announced in record time and with all transparency.
“We assure the community that the medical team is fully prepared to deal with developments in accordance with health protocols in force, locally and globally,” he added.
The Health Minister had earlier issued an edict regarding isolation protocols for those who contract the virus and those suspected of being in contact with a positive case.
The edict stipulates that medical isolation period will extend for 21 days from the date of the confirmed result or from the date of contact with a positive case.
The GDN earlier reported that patients will be monitored via the BeAware Bahrain mobile phone app to ensure compliance with isolation procedures.
Anyone found breaking the rules could face a three-month prison sentence, a fine of between BD1,000 and BD10,000, or both.
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