Alert: A case of Mpox ‘monkeypox’ detected in Lomé

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Extract from the article: Un cas de Mpox « variole du singe » a été détecté et confirmé à Lomé, alerte le gouvernement. Selon un communiqué publié ce vendredi 16 mai 2025, « II s’agit d’une femme de 22 ans résidant dans le district sanitaire du Golfe, région du Grand Lomé, en

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A case of Mpox ‘monkeypox’ has been detected and confirmed in Lomé, the government has warned. According to a press release issued on Friday 16 May 2025, ‘the case involves a 22-year-old woman living in the Golfe health district, Greater Lomé region, who is currently being admitted to an infectious disease ward’.

In response to this situation, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene has taken a number of measures, including: stepping up epidemiological surveillance, early warning and confirmation; organising treatment; raising public awareness of preventive measures and what to do when faced with signs of suspicion.

In its press release, the government urges people to adopt the following behaviour to avoid contracting the disease: wash their hands properly and regularly with clean water and soap; protect their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing; (wearing masks is recommended) avoid all contact with the blood and other biological fluids of a suspected or confirmed person.

"In the event of any suspicion, inform the nearest healthcare staff so that appropriate treatment can be given quickly. Mpox or simian smallpox can be cured if detected and treated early", the press release concludes.

Mpox is a contagious viral disease that can infect people of any age. It is transmitted by direct or indirect contact with blood, body fluids or lesions on the skin or mucous membranes of infected animals.

Person-to-person transmission can occur through close contact, particularly during sexual intercourse, with infected respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or objects contaminated with biological fluids. The disease generally manifests itself as fever, with or without other non-specific signs, and skin rashes. In some cases, Mpox can lead to death.

Jean ELI