GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is in close contact with all Asean member countries to monitor cases of mpox infection.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said this would enable the authorities to better understand the mpox situation in the neighbouring countries.
"So far, we have not reported any case of mpox. We are liaising with our counterparts from neighbouring countries and we have also increased surveillance at all international entry points.
"So far, there is no restriction imposed at all our entry and exit points. We have also put in place the necessary guidelines to address the issue.
"Nevertheless, we advise the people to be cautious at all times, " he told newsmen after officiating the 34th Malaysia-Thailand border health scientific conference 2024 at the Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Ferringhi here today.
He was asked about measures taken by Malaysia in light of recent mpox cases in some neighbouring countries.
It was reported that the Health Ministry would increase surveillance at Malaysia's international entry points and step up advocacy measures on mpox after the outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organisation for the second time on Aug 14.
Mpox was declared as PHEIC for the first time on July 23, 2022, and the status was rescinded on May 11, 2023.
Lukanisman said the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) was also monitoring the situation and that the Health Ministry would from time to time issue the necessary updates.
"We don't want to create any unnecessary panic," he added.
Lukanisman added that cooperation with the various agencies was underway to conduct screening at the airports.
"What we are doing now is similar to what we did during the Covid-19 pandemic. And we will raise any trigger, if the need arises, to any agencies.
"All precautionary measures will be taken by the necessary agencies, such as the Immigration Department, at the airports and our borders," he said.
On the possibility of acquiring a vaccine against mpox, he said there was no discussion on the matter. He said, looking at the guidelines, the mpox infection could be avoided if self-hygiene measures were practised at all times.