‘SWIFT ACTION VITAL TO CURB MONKEYPOX’
Call by experts especially for those travelling to take precautions amid reported outbreaks
THE Veterinary Services Department and Health Ministry have been urged to act swiftly to determine the possible presence of the monkeypox virus in animal populations in the country.
Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye made the call as there was a need to take extra precautions amid the emerging monkeypox outbreaks reported in Portugal, the United States, Spain, Sweden and Canada.
“We have to definitely be wary and keep an eye on the developments abroad. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease which is endemic in the animal populations in western and central Africa.
“The virus hosts are animals which can be transmitted to humans and possibly to other humans by close contact. However, the risk is low unless there are new variants and changes in infection patterns.
“If infected, it can be serious and up to three to five per cent of cases are fatal. Of course, there are treatments available where medication for smallpox can be administered on monkeypox patients.
“The authorities need to move fast because if there is an infection detected among our animal population, it can lead to serious health problems,” he told the New
Dr Lee advised those who have come in contact with animals, especially monkeys, to monitor themselves for symptoms, as well as travellers returning from endemic areas.
Epidemiologist Dr Malina Osman said the monkeypox virus was a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Its infection overseas was more due to close contact through res- piratory droplets or sharing of personal belongings.
“The transmission is similar to measles, chicken pox and, therefore, the prevention measures will also be similar.
“In general, we have to cautiously guard the main entry points of our country. There should also be continuous surveillance and the public should be alert, particularly those travelling to outbreak areas.
She advised those heading to countries with reported outbreaks to be on alert and to avoid interactions in crowds, take good care of their personal hygiene and ensure that they were in the best of health.
Travellers could also consider getting immunisation to protect themselves, she said.
“Vaccines against smallpox have been said to be equally effective in preventing monkeypox. Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and it causes less severe illness.
“Newer vaccines have been developed, of which one has been approved for the prevention of monkeypox.
“But from my observation, I am unsure whether it is available in Malaysia. An antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox,” said Dr Malina.
Former health deputy directorgeneral (medical) Professor Datuk Dr Rohaizat Yon said the country had to be alert to the emergence of monkeypox overseas and could not afford to be complacent.
“This needs to be tackled immediately. I am sure the ministry as well as the relevant authorities are analysing, monitoring and assessing data as well as the situation in other countries,” he said.
He added that equal attention should also be given to other endemic diseases in the country like dengue.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on Thursday confirmed the first two cases of monkeypox in Canada, Bernama reported in quoting Xinhua.
The PHAC had alerted the country’s authorities to work with healthcare providers to look for patients who have signs or symptoms consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they had reported travel or were exposed to specific risk factors.
The PHAC said in a statement that it was working with the United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and public health authorities in the province of Quebec to investigate potential exposure and contacts of a case of monkeypox recently identified in the US.
The US citizen had recently travelled to Canada and might have been infected before or during his visit to Montreal, Quebec.
According to media reports, a limited number of cases of monkeypox had so far been reported in Britain, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the US.
The authorities need to move fast because if there is an infection detected among our animal population, it can lead to serious health problems. DR LEE BOON CHYE former deputy health minister