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Monkey pox in a Community Setting

Discussion

A 28-year-old male presented to the local health clinic with a fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. A few days prior, he had developed a rash that began as flat lesions on his face and quickly spread to his arms, torso, and legs. The lesions became raised, fluid-filled, and painful, which prompted him to seek medical attention.

The patient reported attending a large community event two weeks earlier, where he had close contact with several people, including sharing food and physical contact. He also mentioned that a friend he met at the event had recently travelled to an area experiencing an outbreak of monkey pox.

On examination, the characteristic rash and the patient’s history of exposure to a possible index case led the healthcare provider to suspect monkey pox. Lab tests confirmed the diagnosis. The local public health department was notified, and an investigation began to identify other potential cases.

The patient was isolated, and contact tracing was initiated to inform those who had been in close contact with him. Public health officials provided education to the community about the symptoms, transmission routes, and preventive measures for monkey-pox. This case emphasized the importance of rapid response, isolation, and contact tracing in controlling the spread of monkey-pox, especially in densely populated areas. It also underscored the need for public awareness and vaccination campaigns in regions at risk.

Questions
1. What were the initial symptoms that led the patient to seek medical attention?

a). Sore throat and ear pain

b). Fever, body aches, and a spreading rash

c). Shortness of breath and chest pain

d). Diarrhoea and vomiting

 

 

 

 

 

2. What event likely exposed the patient to the monkey pox virus?

a). Traveling to a region with poor sanitation

b). Attending a large community event and having close contact with others

c). Consuming contaminated food from a market

d). Visiting a hospital and sharing medical equipment

3. What was the first step taken by public health officials after the patient was diagnosed with monkey pox?

a). Administering antibiotics to the patient

b). Sending the patient home without any isolation

c). Initiating contact tracing and isolating the patient

d). Closing all clinics in the area

4. What was the key public health message provided to the community following this case?

a). The importance of early surgical intervention

b). Prevention tips, including avoiding contact with infected individuals and raising awareness

c). Encouraging the community to avoid travel altogether

d). Advising the community to consume more fruits and vegetables

Reveal answers

Answers

  1. b). Fever, body aches, and a spreading rash
  2. b). Attending a large community event and having close contact with others
  3. c). Initiating contact tracing and isolating the patient
  4. b). Prevention tips, including avoiding contact with infected individuals and raising awareness