BY : Zaki Salleh
Putrajaya, August 25, 2023 – The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) has officially verified the occurrence of two confirmed cases of monkeypox infection, scientifically referred to as mpox.
Datuk Dr. Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, the Director-General of Health, disclosed that the initial case was confirmed on July 26.
This involved a foreign male residing and working in Malaysia since April 2022.
Detailing the situation, he explained that this case had a travel history to a nation that reported mpox cases on July 6, subsequently returning to Malaysia on July 10.
“He started showing symptoms on July 19, 2023, and a blister started appearing on July 23, 2023.
“He underwent isolation and was discharged on August 10, 2023, following a complete recovery devoid of complications. The suspicion is that he contracted the infection while abroad in the country that reported the mpox cases,” he stated in today’s official announcement.
Muhammad Radzi stated that the second case involved an individual who had direct contact with the first confirmed mpox case, often referred to as the index case.
This individual, a local male, experienced symptoms while under quarantine due to being in contact with the confirmed positive mpox case.
He was placed under quarantine starting from July 27, 2023, and tested positive for mpox on July 29, 2023. Currently, he is still in isolation and is in a healthy condition.
Radzi informed that all contacts related to the initial case have been successfully identified, and their health statuses are being consistently monitored.
Mpox is a particular infection caused by the mpox virus, with transmission occurring through close contact with an individual who exhibits symptoms and signs of the virus.
The incubation period before individuals show symptoms of mpox infection spans from 5 to 21 days from the date of exposure to the infection.
Individuals positive for mpox infection can infect others a day before symptoms appear and until all the blisters have dried completely and usually mpox cases will heal on their own without any specific treatment.
