THE World Health Organization declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 14 August 2024.
Possible transmission of Mpox:
Having sexual relationship with someone who is infectious
• Skin-to-skin contact, kissing, and hugging with someone who has Mpox • Proximity to an infected person (talking, breathing)
• Direct contact with sores and waste of an infected person
• Direct contact by touching the surface of materials of an infected person
• Contaminated needles and hospital utensils
• Direct contact with infected animals
• Transmitted during pregnancy or to the newborn by close contact during and after birth
Signs begin:
• Mpox causes signs and symptoms, which usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure.
Symptoms:
• Rash and blister on face, mouth, hand and leg, body, anal and sexual organs • Fever (more than 38.5°C)
• Swollen glands
• Sore throat
• Headache, muscle aches, back pain
• Low energy
(Returnees from the countries and regions in which Mpox cases were detected within the last 21 days must inform the health department if they suffer from the symptoms mentioned above).
Preventions:
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact, close face-to-face contact and sexual activities with the infected person
• Wear gloves and masks unless avoiding close contact
• Wear gloves and mask while touching materials of Mpox suspected patients
• Wash hands with water or hand sanitizers that contain at least 60 per cent alcohol systematically, and do not touch the mouth, nose and eyes without washing the hands
• Make sure personal hygiene and surrounding
• Use a handkerchief or inner elbow to cover sneeze or cough
• Wash utensils (bedsheet, towel, clothing, etc.) using water and soap systematically • Do not touch animals without any protection gear, and cook the meat thoroughly Go to the nearest health department for proper laboratory tests and medical treatments if someone has close contact with Mpox patients or suffer from symptoms.
Ministry of Health
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