As Mpox cases continue to be recorded in various countries, schools are advised to be vigilant in providing a secure environment for both learners and members of staff.
Current mpox statistics rate that over 24 000 confirmed or suspected mpox cases, including over 600 deaths, have been reported from Africa Union Member States. These includ over 5 000 confirmed cases, according to the Africa CDC Epidemic Intelligence Report issued on 10 September 2024 and the WHO AFRO weekly report.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has come up with various guidelines that can be adopted by schools to mitigate the risk of spreading mpox:
Screening at schools in geographic areas experiencing an mpox outbreak:
- Encourage the ongoing monitoring and self-monitoring of mpox signs and symptoms by all students and staff
- Anyone showing signs or symptoms of mpox should be asked not to attend school and should be referred to local health authorities (health and care workers, public health officers or community health workers) and isolate, even when symptoms are mild.
School staff (including school medical clinic staff, if relevant) need to be briefed on mpox and should post clear signage, to include:
- How mpox spreads (modes of transmission)
- Clinical presentation (e.g., rash, fever)
- Importance of prevention and control measures
- Procedures for contacting local public health authorities to support the care of a student or staff member suspected to have mpox in a discrete and respectful
- Ways in which they can work to prevent stigma and discrimination
Keep classrooms and school spaces well-ventilated.
- Ensure personal protective equipment and cleaning materials are in place and of sufficient quantity in case an individual is identified on school premises with signs and symptoms of mpox.
- Perform environmental cleaning: Clean surfaces daily using hot/warm soapy water or detergent and then wipe with a clean wet cloth to remove the soap
- Promote cough etiquette and proper waste disposal measures.
- Ensure careful handling and thorough cooking of meal containing animal parts and prevent live animals from entering the school property; avoid dead and/or sick animals, and wash hands after touching animals or birds.
When communicating about mpox:
Use risk communication and public information messages and materials that provide evidence-based information to:
- Proactively address any possible stigma or discrimination associated with mpox infection, including when staff or students return to work/ school.
- Provide regular updates and communication from school leadership to students and staff, especially as new information becomes available or if the risk of mpox infection changes.
- Regularly reinforce proper hand washing techniques with all students and staff.
- Actively address misinformation and fears surrounding mpox, and include student, parent and teacher associations to address myths and rumors when appropriate.
- Consider additional actions that help reduce fear and stigma around mpox, such as peer-support groups.
If a student/staff member at the school setting is suspected, probable or confirmed to have mpox, promptly implement the following measures:
- As discreetly as possible, isolate the suspected individual from others (with at least 1 meter of distance maintained), ideally in a separate room or area.
- Ask them to carefully cover lesions with clean clothes if not covered, wash hands promptly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub and wear a well-fitting mask? within 1 meter of others.
