KOTA BARU: Malaysians returning from high-risk countries via the Kelantan border are advised to inform the state health department to facilitate monitoring and prevent the spread of mpox.
State health director Datuk Dr Zaini Husin said those from Kelantan who have visited high-risk countries particularly African nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also need to notify the department.
"So far, we have not received any reports of mpox cases.
"But, we urge the public to inform us immediately if they have travelled to high-risk countries or have been exposed to individuals with mpox.
"We will also work closely with the Immigration Department to monitor individuals arriving from these high-risk countries," he said.
He added the department's officers would also monitor the state's border checkpoints, including the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) at Rantau Panjang and Bukit Bunga.
When asked whether Thailand was considered a high-risk country, Dr Zaini confirmed that, as of now, Thailand is not classified as such.
The Health Ministry yesterday reported one new case of the mpox virus infection of the clade 2 variety.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the case was detected in a male patient, who began showing symptoms of fever, sore throat and cough on Sept 11, with rashes appearing on Sept 12.
Of the 58 cases of suspected mpox that have been referred to the Health Ministry throughout the year, he said this one case was confirmed positive mpox clade II on Sept 16.
Dr Radzi said with that, all 10 cases in Malaysia since July 26 last year until now belong to clade II only.