Monkeypox Prevention: Ministry of Health making preparations

Although Monkeypox disease is spreading in some countries of Africa, America and Europe currently, Myanmar has a lower risk of disease outbreaks, it’s learnt. According to the Ministry of Health, the officials are watching the infection rate of monkeypox in the international countries consistently and making preparations in the country.

Director, Department of Public Health (Yangon), Dr. Than Naing Soe said "On 7 May 2022, WHO was informed of a confirmed case of monkeypox in an individual who travelled from the United Kingdom to Nigeria. The confirmed cases of Monkeypox across the world has reached 178 with 2 probable cases and 90 suspected cases, but there’s no patient who died due to the disease. Monkeypox disease has never been confirmed in Myanmar until now and the risk of monkeypox disease outbreaks in Myanmar is very low."

The Director added that although Myanmar is less potential for an outbreak of monkeypox due to its nature, his Ministry is always aware of the infection rate in the international countries including neighboring countries. The Ministry is also preparing to raise public awareness of the possible causes of monkeypox and inform the public to report to the relevant departments if they suffer any symptom of monkeypox.

According to the Ministry of Health, the plans are underway to prepare equipments for laboratory testing and medical works and to accelerate disease control activities to prevent and monitor monkeypox disease to ensure the safety of the people.