TWO cases of monkeypox (mpox) have been reported in Malaysia, the Health Ministry confirmed today.

Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the first case was confirmed on July 26 involving a male foreigner.

The second case, confirmed on July 29, involves a Malaysian man who is a close contact of the first case.

“The first case involves a foreign man who has been living and working in Malaysia since April last year. He has a history of travelling to a country with reported cases of mpox on July 6 this year and returned to Malaysia on July 10,” Radzi said in a statement today.

“He started showing symptoms on July 19. Blisters started appearing on July 23 and he was isolated, and was released on August 10 after making a full recovery without complications.”

He said the second patient experienced symptoms while in quarantine, because he was in contact with the index case and was confirmed positive on July 29.

“He is still in isolation and is in good health. All contacts of the first case have been identified and their health status monitored,” he said.

“No one experienced any symptoms except for the second case. The second case did not have any close contact.”

He said all travellers arriving from countries with reported mpox are advised to monitor their health status daily, including symptoms, for 21 days from the date of arrival in Malaysia.

“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),” he said.

“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.

“Patients may also experience fatigue, pain in the back or joints and swollen lymph nodes.” – Bernama, August 25, 2023.