Coordination Meeting: Prevention and monitoring activities of Monkeypox

The Ministry of Health held a coordination meeting on the prevention and monitoring activities of monkeypox infectious disease.

At the meeting on Monday in Nay Pyi Taw, Union Minister Prof Dr. Thet Khaing Win said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an outbreak of monkeypox in some European countries.

He highlighted the need to conduct the public health education awareness of the differences and possible causes of chickenpox, smallpox and the recent outbreak of monkeypox in some countries to make sure that the people will not panic as there is an outbreak of chickenpox among children in Myanmar.

There is a need to intensify disease surveillance activities on existing communicable diseases as well as monkeypox although there is little evidence of the disease in Myanmar, and the preparations must be made for lab testing and medical work.

The Union minister added that the monkey virus is transmitted from animals to humans, and the environmental protection sector, farming sector, and the health sector must be integrated according to the One Health Approach.

Attendees explained the research and lab preparations for monkeypox infectious disease, and the Union minister made concluding remarks.

Also, at the coordination meeting to prevent the outbreak of dengue fever, the Union minister highlighted the need to continuously carry out monitoring and control measures of the disease by cooperating with the relevant ministries, especially the general administration departments of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

When the school season arrives, school-based immunization and school-based dengue prevention activities will be carried out, the Union minister stressed. Attendees explained the incidence and prevention of dengue fever in Myanmar and discussed the plans for prevention.