Work coordination meeting: Meeting to prevent mpox outbreak held

The work coordination meeting for the acceleration of preventing and controlling Mpox disease was held at the Ministry of Health in Nay Pyi Taw in the morning on 19th August with the attendance of Union Minister for Health Prof: Dr. Thet Khaing Win.

In his opening speech, the Union Minister said that during WHO International Health Regulations Emergency Committee meeting held on 14th August, 2024, since the infection of mpox is rising, it’s declared as Public Health Emergency of International Concern- PHEIC according to the International Health Regulations-2005.

This meeting is held to accelerate preventing and controlling mpox including monitoring in the country.As there are the reports of death due to the mpox in the neighboring and regional countries, the Ministry of Health is carrying out the prevention of mpox in the country with special attention.

According to the designation of WHO, the possibility of outbreak in Myanmar is extremely rare.Since the WHO declared multi-country outbreak in May, 2022, Fever with Vesicular Rash Surveillance is sustainably carried out for early response to mpox in the Nay Pyi Taw, Regions and States Public Health Departments and hospitals, in the laboratory tests of 129 cases, there is no confirmed case from 2022 to date etc.

Next, the Director General Dr. Myint Myint Than of Public Health Department clarified mpox outbreak in world countries and preventive and controlling measures carrying out in Myanmar with Power Point in detail.Then, the attendees at the meeting gave necessary suggestions and discussions.