PUTRAJAYA, Aug 18 — The Health Ministry will increase surveillance at Malaysia’s international entry points and advocacy on mpox following mpox being declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organisation for a second time on August 14.
The ministry also announced that all travellers from countries with reported mpox cases must monitor their health daily, including for symptoms of infection, for 21 days from their arrival in Malaysia, while those with a history of risky activities and symptoms like rashes must undergo a check at a health facility and avoid contact with others to avoid spreading the disease.
All medical practitioners in government and private facilities must notify suspected and confirmed cases of mpox with district health offices to ensure prevention and control measures are implemented, the ministry said, and can refer to the 2023 guidelines on mpox management in Malaysia on the ministry’s website.
The ministry will also ensure premises that provide services involving skin contact with customers such as spas, massage parlours and other high-risk activities must practise personal hygiene and keep their surroundings clean, and ensure no customers have mpox symptoms.
“If customers or workers show symptoms, they must get a health checkup immediately,” the ministry said in a statement today.
The ministry will continue working with government and non-governmental agencies, including private hospitals and clinics, in monitoring, detecting and tending to clinical mpox cases.
Mpox was declared a PHEIC for the first time on July 23, 2022, with the status previously rescinded on May 11, 2023.
— Bernama
