MALAYSIA is prepared for a possible spread of monkeypox after countries where the virus is not endemic reported such cases.

It has initiated health protocols at its international borders, despite not reporting any monkeypox case so far.

MySejahtera, which was developed for Covid-19 contact tracing, has been updated to allow travellers to conduct daily self-assessments to help monitor risk of the viral disease.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is related to smallpox, a deadly disease eradicated in 1980.

It is endemic to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria.

It has also been reported in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Recently, 200 monkeypox cases were found in countries where the viral disease is not usually found, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) saying that this may be just the beginning.

Meanwhile, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control put the number of such cases at 219.

Is it fatal?

Ex-deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said yes, “you can die from it”.

“The fatality rate is 3% to 5%, while Covid-19’s fatality rate is 0.5%,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Symptoms can last up to four weeks, according to WHO.

Lee said monkeypox and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) symptoms can seem similar and this can lead to confusion.

“For monkeypox, a patient will get only blisters and all over the body.

“For HFMD, a patient will get a fever, and blisters and rashes on only the mouth, hands and feet.

“Another big difference is that monkeypox infects anyone, regardless of age, while HFMD mostly infects children.”

Malaysia is currently experiencing a HFMD outbreak, with 57,510 cases reported from January to May 25.

Lee said while the monkeypox is contagious, it does not spread as easily as Covid-19 or HFMD.

“(To spread from) human to human, you need to be in very close contact.

“It is not airborne. It is usually transmitted through contact with lesion, secretion or touching the infected person.”

The spread from animals to humans happens through biting or scratching.

What must be done?

Lee said Malaysia has to be more vigilant in monitoring travellers from monkeypox-endemic countries or nations that have reported cases.

“First of all, we have to be vigilant in monitoring those returning from endemic areas.

“There are sporadic cases in Europe and the US, but these cases are human-to-human and involve very close contact.

“If we are vigilant, close contacts can receive vaccination for the virus.”

The smallpox vaccine is 85% effective in preventing monkeypox.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin indicated that there will not be any mass vaccination drive for monkeypox, adding that the vaccine will be offered only to close contacts and healthcare workers.

Lee said in the event of an outbreak, the older generation will be more protected as they will have already received the smallpox vaccine.

“The older generation may be protected, but the vaccine’s effectivity would have waned.”

The Health Ministry’s suggestion to use coronavirus protocols should a monkeypox outbreak occur is sound, he added.

“I think that should be effective as monkeypox does not spread fast and is easily contained.”

Lee said it is also wise to take samples from animals commonly associated with the viral disease for screening purposes.

“The spread from animal to human may not need close contact, so we may have to screen animals such as monkeys and rodents.” – May 31, 2022.