Beef up efforts required to combat Mpox

THE Ministry of Health has recently issued a press release in response to the re-emergence of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in several African countries and neighbouring regions. The World Health Organization has classified Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to its resurgence. Recently, an Mpox case was reported in Thailand, highlighting the virus’s spread beyond Africa.

Although Myanmar has not reported any Mpox cases so far, the country is closely monitoring the situation. Myanmar’s Ministry of Health is actively collaborating with other relevant ministries amid neighbouring and regional countries facing the impact of Mpox. They are working together to strengthen disease surveillance at international airports, seaports, and border entry points. Preparedness measures, including quarantine facilities and medications, are in place to ensure rapid healthcare response to suspected cases.

In addition to these measures, officials and media outlets are engaged in public awareness campaigns to educate people on Mpox prevention. The government is also taking preventive, control, and treatment actions similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 23 July 2022, the WHO declared Mpox an international emergency, though this declaration ended on 11 May 2023. This year, the infection rate has surged again, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African nations. Now, many infected individuals are located in 26 states of the DRC, a country with a population of approximately 100 million people. The eastern region of the DRC has been hit particularly hard by the Clade 1b variant of the disease, prompting the WHO to issue a new global PHHEIC declaration on 14 August.

Over the past two decades, a significant number of global disease outbreaks have been caused by zoonotic diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. As human lifestyles change and the boundaries between human and animal habitats blur, the prevalence of these zoonotic diseases has been increasing. The rise in pet ownership, where animals are often kept in close proximity to humans, is also contributing to the growing incidence of animal-to-human disease transmission.

It is crucial for countries to unite and strengthen their efforts to combat Mpox on a global scale. Collaborative actions, preventive measures, and public health awareness will be vital in curbing the spread of this virus. All countries need to try hard to overcome the challenges of Mpox successfully through the united strength. Myanmar people need to follow health protocols for prevention, control, and treatment of Mpox, as issued by the Ministry of Health, without fail.

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