The ministry said all travellers with reported mpox cases need to monitor their own health status daily, including symptoms of mpox infection for 21 days from their arrival date in Malaysia, Bernama reported.
Those with a history of risky activities and symptoms like rashes need to undergo a check at nearby health facilities immediately and avoid contact with other people to prevent the disease from spreading.
All medical practitioners in government and private health facilities need to notify suspected and confirmed cases of mpox immediately to the nearest district health office to ensure prevention and control measures are implemented, the ministry said.
They can refer to the guidelines on mpox management on the ministry’s official website at www.moh.gov.my.
The ministry will also ensure premises that provide services involving skin contact with customers such as spas, massage parlours and other such activities practise personal hygiene and have clean surroundings. Staff must ensure no customers have symptoms of mpox.
“If customers or workers have such symptoms, they need to get a health check immediately,” the ministry said in a statement today.
The ministry will continue working with government agencies and NGOs, including private hospitals and clinics, in monitoring, detecting and tending to mpox cases.
Mpox was declared a global public health emergency for the first time on July 23, 2022 and the status was rescinded on May 11, 2023.
Earlier today, the Jakarta health office confirmed at least 11 cases of mpox in various sub-districts within the province this year.
Acting head of the disease prevention and control division, Dr Maryati Kasiman, said the most recent case was reported in June.
“Nine of the cases involve Jakarta residents, while two were from outside the province,” Maryati told the news portal detikcom.
The reported cases span eight sub-districts — Pasar Minggu, Ciracas, Grogol Petamburan, Jatinegara, Kebon Jeruk, Matraman, Tanah Abang and Tanjung Priok.
All those affected are aged between 21 and 50, with the first case reported on Jan 22 in a woman with HIV and sexually transmitted infections. A subsequent case was reported on Feb 7.
Mpox causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. A new sub-variant – Clade I – has alarmed global health experts due to its ability to spread easily through close, personal contact.
The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths since January last year, largely among children.