In a statement today, the health ministry sought to assure that the situation is under control.

It said the index case involved a male foreigner who had recently travelled to West Africa.

He started exhibiting mpox symptoms on Oct 20 and was confirmed positive on Nov 12. Three family members who stayed with him also exhibited symptoms from Oct 30 and were confirmed positive on Nov 13.

“All four patients are in stable condition and are undergoing isolation at home. All close contacts have been identified, screened and ordered to undergo isolation.

“As of now, our investigations have found that the spread had been limited to family members. The cluster situation is under control,” it said in a statement.

Up until the 46th epidemiological week of this year, 12 cases of mpox have been reported in Malaysia, bringing the total to 23 since the first case was reported in July 2023.

The ministry said every case was successfully contained thanks to early detection, patient isolation and monitoring of close contacts.

Mpox’s status as a public health emergency of international concern came to an end on Sept 5.