By Ireen Mseteka 

Likoma, June 2, Mana: Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for Likoma, Dr. Gracewell Mathewe says the district has registered one suspected Mpox case.

According to a notice issued by Mathewe on Sunday, the suspected case is from a 25-year-old male from Mozambique.

"The suspect is presenting with symptoms pointing towards or suggestive of Mpox disease. The patient is currently admitted in an isolated room at St Peter's Hospital and is getting necessary medical care," reads the notice.

It further says that necessary protocols have been put in place to confirm whether the case is Mpox disease or not.

District Environmental Health Officer for Likoma, Alfred Nyasulu said a Virus Transporting Media (VTM) Mpox Test Kit is already at the hospital saying the hospital is only waiting for transport to send the sample to the main laboratory in Lilongwe.

"The VTM Mpox Test Kit used for exporting samples is already here, this means that the sample will be taken to Lilongwe for testing as soon as transport is available," said Nyasulu.

As one of the preventative measures, he said that hospital staff have already been informed about the suspected case adding that once confirmed positive, people in the district will be informed and sensitized on the availability of the disease.