The Health Ministry today (Oct 30) confirmed two more cases of monkeypox (mpox), which made up a total of four cases recorded in the country.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the two latest cases have no connection to the first and second cases reported in July this year.
“The third case has been confirmed with mpox on Oct 21, involving a local male who showed symptoms of fever and blisters on Oct 6.
“The fourth case is involving a local male who is a close contact with the third case and was confirmed positive of mpox on Oct 23. His symptoms also manifested on Oct 6,” he said.
“Both men are undergoing home quarantine and are in stable conditions. They also denied any history of travelling abroad 21 days before showing symptoms,” he said.
Dr Muhammad Radzi said all close contacts have been identified and no one have shown symptoms of mpox.
“Their health status are also being monitored,” he said.
According to him, mpox is a type of infection caused by the mpox virus, and infection occurs through close contact with individuals who have symptoms and signs of mpox infection.
“The symptoms of mpox are fever, fatigue, headache and a maculopapular rash, which starts on the face and then spreads to the palms and soles, followed by other parts of the body,” he said.
“The incubation period, before an individual starts showing symptoms, is between five and 21 days from the date of exposure.
“Individuals tested positive for mpox infection can infect others a day before symptoms appear, until all the blisters have completely dried up. Usually, mpox cases will heal on their own without any specific treatment,” he added.
He also said all medical practitioners have been urged to be sensitive to individuals with blister symptoms who turned up for treatment, especially among high-risk groups (key population).
“The history of the risk of close contact with individuals with symptoms of mpox infection must be obtained. For suspected mpox cases, blister swabs, oral swabs and blood or serum samples can be sent to a laboratory that provides mpox virus detection test services,” he said.
All suspected cases must be notified to the district health office through an e-Notification system so it can be further investigated and monitored, he added.
