PETALING JAYA: Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an outbreak of monkeypox as a global health emergency for the second time in two years, the situation in Malaysia is not too worrying for now, say health experts.
WHO had declared an emergency for mpox in 2022. Such declarations pave the way for international efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
Universiti Putra Malaysia consultant clinical microbiologist Prof Dr Zamberi Sekawi said mpox is transmitted by close direct contact and is of lower risk compared with airborne transfers.
“However, the threat is always there and people should be careful to mitigate the risk,” he reminded the public.
Those with high-risk sexual behaviour should take precaution, he added.
Prof Zamberi advised against handling bedding or towels used by persons with mpox or sharing utensils or cups with them.
For those travelling to countries with a high number of mpox cases, necessary precautions should be taken through good hygiene and avoiding high-risk behaviours, he added.
Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh (pic), professor in public health medicine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Medicine, also said mpox is not a significant threat to residents in Malaysia for now.
“It takes a longer time for the disease to be transmitted, as it is through direct contact,” she explained.
She said most of those infected with mpox will recover, though there are some who can get very sick.
“Infected people can present with swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion,” Prof Sharifa Ezat said.
“The rash can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus,” she added.
Prof Sharifa Ezat cautioned that anyone can get mpox by touch, kissing or sex with infected persons or eating infected animals.
Babies too can get it from their infected pregnant mothers, she said.
Prof Sharifa Ezat also said that smallpox antiviral treatments are used to treat mpox and reduce its symptoms.
“The smallpox vaccine is said to reduce the risk of getting infected by 85%,” she added.
Yesterday, the Health Ministry said that nine mpox cases were recorded since the first case was detected in July 2023, with the last one in November the same year.
The ministry said all the cases reported had a history of high-risk activities and all had recovered.
“Based on our monitoring, no new imported mpox cases have been reported,” it said in a statement.
The ministry advised those travelling to countries with reported mpox cases to practise a healthy lifestyle and avoid risky activities.
“They are also advised to monitor their health status daily, including signs of any mpox infection, within 21 days of returning from these countries.
“Those involved in high-risk activities are advised to undergo examination at the nearest health facility.”
The ministry added that it will continue to monitor the mpox situation both domestically and internationally and will provide updates as necessary.
On Wednesday, WHO declared mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.
This came after the surge in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa and its neighbouring countries.
