MALAYSIANS travelling abroad are advised to be on the alert for monkeypox even though the disease has yet to appear at home.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin urged Malaysians travelling to countries with reported cases of the virus to be careful and seek immediate medical attention if they show symptoms.

“Avoid activities that can cause monkeypox infections. If symptoms occur, seek immediate treatment,” Khairy said in a video posted on his Twitter today.

Although Malaysia remains free of monkeypox, Khairy said the health authorities are prepared for all eventualities.

He said the ministry has prepared a response in the event of an outbreak.

“Among (the containment measures) are case detection and notification procedures, sampling, investigation and case management as well as close contact and monitoring at international entry points such as airports,” he said.

Khairy said beginning May 27, the ministry has incorporated a monkeypox alert feature in the MySejahtera app.

Travellers arriving from monkeypox endemic countries or from countries that have reported the virus, who have filled out the pre-release form in the MySejahtera app, will receive the health alert as a reminder to monitor themselves for symptoms, he added.

Global cases of the monkeypox virus have surpassed 1,000. – June 8, 2022.