Kuwait’s cabinet on Tuesday said that the country has not seen any cases of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, underlining that stringent precautions are already in place to keep the illness at bay. Holding an extraordinary meeting to discuss the virus, Health Minister Dr. Khaled Al- Saeed analyzed global statistics on the spread of monkeypox, which show that the virus has appeared in a growing number of countries. Health Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Saeed said that Kuwait was taking necessary measures to prevent monkeypox infections. Speaking to the KUNA and Kuwait State Television after the cabinet’s meeting, Al-Saeed reaffirmed that there were no reported cases of monkeypox in Kuwait.

On a different issue, Dr. Al- Saeed indicated that the Ministry of Health was ready for the 2022 Hajj season, revealing that plans were set to enable Kuwaiti pilgrims to perform this sacred Islamic ritual. Vaccinations for COVID-19 and other aliments as well as PCR tests will be readily available at health centers and clinics for pilgrims prior to their departure to the Holy Land in Makkah, Saudi Arabia./AT