BEWARE OF MPOX RISK DURING YEAR-END HOLIDAYS - MEDICAL EXPERT

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Dis (Bernama) -- Malaysians are reminded to be mindful of health concerns, including Mpox, as the year-end holiday season approaches, a medical expert said.

Sunway Medical Centre consultant emergency physician Dr Aaron Lai Kuo Huo pointed out that Mpox remained as a risk, with recent surges in cases underscoring the need for awareness, prevention and knowing what steps to take if exposed.

“While Mpox shares similarities with smallpox, it still persists, particularly in Central and West Africa. The virus has two main clades: Clade 1 (endemic in Central Africa) and Clade 2 (endemic in West Africa).

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“The current outbreak in Africa is due to the Clade 1 strain, known for higher transmission rates and more severe symptoms, such as pronounced skin lesions and respiratory issues. A new variant, Clade 1b, has emerged with greater human-to-human transmission and the ability to evade immune detection,” he said in a statement today.

Dr Aaron said that the strain should be monitored closely as as it may affect vaccine effectiveness and lead to higher rates of complications including severe skin lesions, respiratory distress, and even organ involvement.

Mpox spreads primarily through close physical contact with an infected person or contaminated objects, he said, adding that sexual contact is another important mode of transmission.

“The virus is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact,” he pointed out, adding that Mpox can also spread from animals to humans through direct contact with infected animals in endemic areas.

The most effective way to prevent transmission, he stressed, was to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact and sharing personal items with infected individuals, particularly those who exhibit visible symptoms like rashes or skin lesions and good hand hygiene.

“Initial signs include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes followed by a rash, appearing one to three days after the fever starts. The rash starts on the face and spreads to the arms, legs, hands, and feet.

The rash starts on the face and spreads to the arms, legs, hands, and feet, progressing from flat spots to raised bumps, blisters, and pus-filled lesions that scab over. In some cases, the rash can lead to complications like secondary bacterial infections, worsening the condition,” he said.

Dr Aaron advised those who think they have been exposed to Mpox to isolate themselves immediately to prevent spreading the virus, seek medical advice for testing and diagnosis, and also to avoid contact, especially with vulnerable groups, including immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and children.

“Testing for Mpox usually involves swabs from skin lesions or the nasopharynx. Cases will then be reported to the Health Ministry for contact tracing. Avoid close contact with others until the diagnosis is confirmed and symptoms have resolved,” he said.

Individuals more at risk include including individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, children, and people with multiple sexual partners.

“The risk is higher for pregnant women because Mpox can affect both the mother and fetus through transmission during pregnancy, which can lead to miscarriage stillbirth or preterm delivery,” he explained.

-- BERNAMA