Luanda, June 30, 2022 - Considering the new public health emergency caused by the Monkeypox that affects several countries around the world and creates a constant threat to all others; one of them being Angola which shares an extensive border with the Democratic Republic of Congo that has registered more than 1000 cases. In the context of strengthening the surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases, the National Institute for Health Research (INIS) held a technical-scientific workshop to inform and train health professionals to enhance surveillance, and prevent and prepare actions to identify and notify suspected cases as they should arise in Angola. The workshop benefited from the practical support of AFENET and CDC, and funding from the World Bank - REDISSE IV Project.

 

The meeting took place on the 10th of June in the INIS meeting room, but a link was also provided for remote participation.

 

The Director-General of INIS, Dr. Joana Morais, held the opening of the event, followed by the Assistant Director for the Technical area, Dr. Joana Paula da Paixão who presented the objectives of the session, and the remaining presentations were pronounced by guest speakers, as listed below:

 

1. Epidemiological Surveillance of the Monkeypox – Dr. Regina António (Nacional Direction for Public Health - DNSP);
2. Monkeypox from a veterinary perspective – Dr. Iracelma Machado (Veterinary Health Institute - ISV - MINAGRIP);
3. Guidelines for Laboratory Investigation of Suspected Monkeypox cases; and, Biosafety, Collection, Storage, and Transport of samples to the Reference Laboratory – Technician Joltin Quivinja (INIS);
4. Laboratory diagnosis of Monkeypox – Dr. Pedro Ariel (INIS);
5. Final Considerations, Communication, and Follow-up – Dr. Ngiambudulu Francisco (INIS).

 

After the presentations, a time for questions, answers, and contributions with interactive participation between participants and speakers was allowed, thus closing the activity.