Government Activates Operations Room to Monitor MPOX, Says Dzul

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that between August 16 and 22, a total of 1.8 million travellers were screened at the country’s entry points as a preventive measure against the outbreak. (Bernama Photo)

DUNGUN: The government has activated a special operations room at the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Center (CPRC) since August 16, to monitor and prevent the spread of the mpox virus.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the operations room was tasked with overseeing the outbreak domestically and internationally, while coordinating with ASEAN countries on prevention and control measures.

“We are actively monitoring the evolving situation, in addition to carrying out temperature checks at all points of entry into the country.

“These screenings have been ongoing since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue as needed,” he told reporters after an event at the Dungun Hospital lobby today.

He noted that between August 16 and 22, a total of 1.8 million travelers were screened at the country’s entry points as a preventive measure against the epidemic.

He said 13 laboratories across the country are ready to conduct diagnostic tests for the virus as part of Malaysia’s preparedness efforts, adding that the country is also collaborating with Asean and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to share information and secure vaccines and antiviral treatments.

Although no new cases of mpox have been reported since November 2023, Dzulkefly urged the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.

WHO had previously declared MPOX a global public health emergency following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that spread to neighbouring countries.

In another development, Dzulkefly said the ministry would present a proposal from Hartal Contract Doctors (HDK) group regarding the on-call allowance to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The ministry supports the increase in the allowance, in line with the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of an increase in civil servants’ salaries.

“I fully support this initiative and will submit the recommendation to the Prime Minister,” Dzulkefly said.

The proposal was made in response to the HDK’s call for an urgent review of the on-call allowance, which has not been revised for more than a decade.