MINISTRY DENIES MONKEYPOX RUMOURS
D-G says there are no cases of the disease in Johor and Kuala Lumpur
THE Health Ministry has rubbished claims that monkeypox cases have been detected in Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there was no reported case of the disease in the country.
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had reported a monkeypox case in Singapore, involving a Nigerian who had arrived in the republic on April 28. The man tested positive for monkeypox on May 8.
“This is the first case reported in Asia. The Singaporean health authorities have undertaken precautionary measures and
strict control to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, including quarantining 23 people who had close contact with the patient.
“The Singaporean Health Ministry reports that no Malaysians are among those quarantined.”
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry would monitor i nfo rma ti on from WHO on monkeypox.
“Healthcare providers have been advised to be vigilant for potential monkeypox cases in Malaysia.
“The ministry advises those travelling to places with reported monkeypox cases, such as central and west African countries, to be extra careful, including maintaining good hygiene practices, such as washing one’s hands after using the toilet or when they become dirty.
“One should avoid touching the wounds of those infected (with the disease), either humans or animals, or contaminated items, such as a patient’s soiled clothes.
“Also, one should not touch wild animals or eat their meat.
“Those who show symptoms within three weeks of leaving the said countries must seek immediate medical treatment and inform the doctors of their travel history.”
Dr Noor Hisham reminded the public to stop spreading fake news which could cause unease among the people.
“The ministry has issued a notification letter to healthcare facilities on general information of handling (a possible) case (of monkeypox), as well as FAQs (frequently asked questions) on monkeypox infection for public reference.
“The FAQs can be accessed via https://web.facebook.com/kkmcprc/posts/.”
The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is reported to be usually from six to 16 days, but can range from five to 21 days.
Monkeypox symptoms include fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph node), back pain, myalgia (muscle ache), an intense asthenia (lack of energy); various stages of rash appear, often beginning on the face and then spreading elsewhere on the body.
WHO, on its website, said sporadic cases of monkeypox had been reported from west and central African countries, and with increasing awareness, more countries were identifying and reporting cases.
It added that since 1970, human cases of monkeypox have been reported from 10 African countries — Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gabon and South Sudan.
“In 2017, Nigeria experienced the largest documented outbreak, approximately 40 years since the country had last confirmed cases of monkeypox.”