Guinea Reports 1st Monkeypox

On Monday, Guinea confirmed that the country reported the first Monkeypox case.

The recording of this case raised a major public health concern in the region which battled several infectious diseases. 

 The National Health Security Agency (ANSS) announced the news three days after detection. 

The patient is a 7-year-old girl who hails from the rural commune of Koyamah, located in Macenta within Guinea's Forest Region.

Experts said the young patient was reported by a local health facility on August 30 after having signs that raised suspicion.

Dr Sakoba Keita, Director General of ANSS said: “The detection of Monkeypox in Guinea calls for heightened surveillance and immediate response especially in affected areas with a history of major outbreaks.” 

Dr Amadou Thierno Diallo, leading epidemiologist who managed Ebola outbreaks said, “the Forest Region is still recovering from an outbreak like Ebola and now with this case involving monkeypox-—we have to act immediately to prevent further transmission and protect those populations at risk.”