JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 6 — The Health Ministry confirmed that 46 cases of suspected monkeypox virus or mpox in Malaysia were negative.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said until now, mpox cases in Malaysia remained at nine, which were recorded at the end of last year.
He added that to date, almost 5.2 million travellers have been screened at the country’s international entry points since August 16.
“Thank god, we have not yet come across it (mpox).
“The last time we encountered a positive variant of clade 2 (nine cases), not clade 1b, which is more virulent, was in December 2023,” he told reporters at the Clean, Smoke-Free Premises Walkabout Programme in Jalan Dhoby here last night.
Also present were Johor state executive councillor for health and environment Ling Tian Soon, Health director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli and Johor Health director Dr Mohtar Pungut @ Ahmad.
Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly said the screening of travellers at all the country’s border check points to curb the spread of monkey pox (mpox) will not result in delays in clearance at the country’s entrances.
“We will continue to improve our security at our land, air, sea and international airport entrances.
“We do (screening) using a mobile scanner so I don’t see anything being interrupted or delayed from a technical point of view,” he said.
— Bernama
