The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has stated that the Maldives is preparing for the possibility of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) becoming a global health emergency, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO designated the skin-to-skin transmissible disease, which originated in the African region, as a global health threat on the 14th of this month. The disease has also been detected in some Asian countries.
The HPA said today that since the disease began spreading globally, they have been monitoring the situation and making necessary preparations for the Maldives. This includes assessing the risk of the disease entering the country, and preparing for disease control, testing, and treatment.
The agency also mentioned that they are educating healthcare workers about the disease and strengthening surveillance efforts.
However, no cases of Mpox have been detected in the Maldives so far.
The Mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, is transmitted to humans from infected animals. Once in the human body, the virus typically spreads to others through close physical contact.
The virus was first detected in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Symptoms include fever, body aches, and pus filled blisters.
Two variants of the virus have been identified: Clade 1, common in the Congo region of Central Africa, and Clade 2, found in West Africa. Clade 1 is considered more dangerous.
In May 2022, the disease was detected in various parts of the world, primarily affecting homosexual men. The strain involved was identified as Clade 2b subclade. WHO declared it a global health emergency at that time.
While cases decreased from July 2022 to May 2023, the WHO reported last month that since September of the previous year, over 11,000 people in Congo have been infected with the disease, resulting in 445 deaths.
According to the WHO, so far this year, more than 14,000 people have tested positive for the disease, with 524 deaths reported.
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