Of the total, 32 have been confirmed negative and one case is awaiting lab results.

In a statement today, the ministry said 13 laboratories nationwide are equipped to conduct testing for mpox, comprising eight government laboratories and five private ones.

“Two of these laboratories are equipped to perform genetic sequencing to identify virus variants,” it said.

Yesterday, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad was quoted by Bernama as saying that nine mpox cases have been reported in Malaysia so far.

The first case was reported on July 26, 2023, and the last in November. There have been no new cases from December.

Dzulkefly said the ministry took immediate steps following reports of an increase in cases in Thailand and Singapore.

On Aug 14, the World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.