JOHOR BARU: Johor, known as the southern gateway into Malaysia, is stepping up measures to curb monkeypox (mpox) from affecting its healthcare system.

“The Health Ministry has provided an action plan to face mpox. As of Saturday, the ministry has reported nine mpox cases so far.

“The ministry has also conducted a briefing on Aug 17 where the Johor Health Department has and will carry out several measures to create public awareness on the disease,” state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said.

The World Health Organisation on Aug 14 declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) following a major spike in cases reported by various countries.

Ling, who is also the Yong Peng assemblyman, said among measures taken by the department include strengthening public health screening activities at international entry points and health facilities in Johor.

He said health personnel are being stationed at international checkpoints at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ), Sultan Abu Bakar Complex CIQ, Senai International Airport and international ferry terminals.

Ling said training and briefing had been given to health personnel on the field for the purpose of early detection, isolation and treatment.

“Body temperature scanning devices are already in place at these international checkpoints to carry out checks on everyone coming in and out of the country.

“Health personnel will carry out observation on each individual, regardless whether they come from countries that have already reported mpox cases, to look for signs if they are unhealthy before carrying out further checks,” he added.

Ling said among the countries that had reported high numbers of mpox cases are the United States, Brazil, Spain, Congo, France, Colombia, Mexico, United Kingdom, Peru and Germany.

He said the Health Department will also be disseminating information on mpox to create public awareness through social media, targeting high-risk groups.

A state-level mpox operation room is on standby if needed to be activated in response to PHEIC and based on the latest instructions from the Health Ministry.

“However, as of now, no mpox cases have been reported in Johor,” Ling said, urging those who show early symptoms of mpox such as chills, exhaustion, fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, and swollen lymph nodes to immediately seek treatment.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/29/mpox-measures-ramped-up