KUWAIT CITY, Aug 24: The Ministry of Health has implemented technical guidelines for managing cases of "monkeypox" infection, detailing mechanisms such as reporting and handling cases and contacts. According to guidelines the reporting process requires the treating physician to immediately notify the nearest preventive center by phone and submit a written report using the infectious disease notification form. The form must be marked with "Rash For Investigation" and indicate "suspected/probable/confirmed case of monkeypox" in the clinical diagnosis section before being sent to the nearest preventive health center.

The guidelines specify that the responsible preventive health physician at the hospital or preventive center must inform the head of public health services in the health region. The head of public health services is then required to forward the infectious disease notification form to the contact officer in the Infectious Disease Control Department via telephone (WhatsApp). Additionally, the preventive health physician at the hospital or preventive center must complete the investigation form for the case, follow up on the final laboratory results, and send them to the Infectious Disease Control Department.

If the infection is confirmed, the preventive center associated with the patient’s residence will be notified to implement standard preventive measures for contacts. The Infectious Disease Control Department will compile a weekly report summarizing the number of cases and their data, as well as a brief report on the global epidemiological situation, which will be sent to the Director of the Public Health Department.

The guidelines outline the procedure for managing suspected monkeypox cases. If hospitalization is required, the preventive physician at the hospital will:

1.  Complete the investigation form for the case.

2.  Ensure the patient is isolated in designated rooms and that infection prevention measures are strictly followed.

3.  Monitor the final laboratory results of the case.

4.  If the infection is confirmed, the case will be managed according to the established protocol for confirmed cases.

If the treating physician determines that hospitalization is unnecessary, the preventive physician at the hospital will:

1.  Complete the investigation form for the case.

2.  Provide health education to ensure the patient remains at home and avoids contact with others during the prescribed treatment period, following infection prevention measures.

3.  Monitor the final laboratory results of the case.

4.  If the infection is confirmed, it will be managed according to the protocol for confirmed cases.

The instructions also cover the management of possible and confirmed cases, stating that confirmed cases should be admitted to the hospital's designated isolation rooms to receive appropriate treatment. Infection prevention measures must be followed throughout the isolation period, as determined by the attending physician.

Upon confirmation of the infection, the hospital's preventive physician will send the report and the completed investigation form to the relevant preventive center and the Infectious Disease Control Department. The preventive physician at the center will then carry out the necessary preventive measures for contacts, following the guidelines outlined in the section "Mechanism for dealing with contacts of confirmed cases."

The guidelines also detail the approach for dealing with contacts of confirmed cases. The preventive physician at the center associated with the contact’s residence will conduct an epidemiological investigation to identify contacts. The preventive center will follow up with the contacts daily, either by phone or in person, to monitor for any signs of fever or other suspected symptoms. This monitoring is recorded daily in the symptom follow-up form for contacts (approximately 3 weeks) for 21 days from the date of the last contact. The preventive physician will also provide health education on suspected symptoms, modes of infection transmission, and the importance of maintaining general hygiene.

If a contact develops a high fever or any suspected symptoms, they will be referred to the hospital associated with their residence for diagnosis and treatment. If the contact is confirmed to be infected, the appropriate procedures will be followed.