The Ministry of Health is swiftly expanding vaccination procedures for medical staff and workers at the Infectious Diseases Hospital following the confirmation that six suspected monkeypox cases in the country are negative. Health sector sources report that preventive teams monitored six suspected cases of monkeypox across various governorates in Kuwait, including one in Jahra, one in the Capital, and two each in Ahmadi and Farwaniya. Laboratory tests have confirmed that these cases did not involve the monkeypox virus.

Sources explained that the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of other skin diseases, such as chickenpox, which is more common at this time of year. As a result, suspected cases were carefully monitored, and the Ministry of Health implemented precautionary measures until laboratory results ruled out the virus.

The Preventive Health Department has identified approximately 130 doctors, nurses, cleaners, and other staff members who interact directly with patients at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, as well as 50 high-risk patients. These individuals are scheduled to receive monkeypox vaccinations in the coming days to prevent the potential spread of the virus. The Medical Warehouses Department has hundreds of monkeypox vaccine doses in stock, including about 360 doses allocated for the hospital staff, with two doses required per person. The first dose is expected to be administered within a few days, with the second dose scheduled for one month later.