KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are reminded to be mindful of health concerns, including Mpox, as the year-end holiday season approaches, a medical expert said. Sunway Medical Centre consultant emergency physician Dr. Aaron Lai Kuo Huo pointed out that Mpox remained as a risk, with recent surges in cases underscoring the need for awareness, prevention, and knowing what steps to take if exposed.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Aaron Lai emphasized that while Mpox shares similarities with smallpox, it persists, particularly in Central and West Africa. The virus has two main clades: Clade 1, endemic in Central Africa, and Clade 2, endemic in West Africa. The current outbreak in Africa is attributed to the Clade 1 strain, known for higher transmission rates and more severe symptoms, such as pronounced skin lesions and respiratory issues. A new variant, Clade 1b, has emerged with greater human-to-human transmission and the ability to evade immune detection.
Dr. Aaron stated that this strain should be monitored cl
osely as it may affect vaccine effectiveness and lead to higher rates of complications, including severe skin lesions, respiratory distress, and even organ involvement. He noted that Mpox primarily spreads through close physical contact with an infected person or contaminated objects, adding that sexual contact is another significant mode of transmission. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact. It can also spread from animals to humans through direct contact with infected animals in endemic areas.
To prevent transmission, Dr. Aaron stressed avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact, sharing personal items with infected individuals, and practicing good hand hygiene. Initial signs of Mpox include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes followed by a rash, appearing one to three days after the fever starts. The rash progresses from flat spots to raised bumps, blisters, and
pus-filled lesions that scab over. In some cases, the rash can lead to complications like secondary bacterial infections, worsening the condition.
Dr. Aaron advised those who think they have been exposed to Mpox to isolate themselves immediately to prevent spreading the virus. They should seek medical advice for testing and diagnosis and avoid contact with vulnerable groups, including immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and children. Testing for Mpox usually involves swabs from skin lesions or the nasopharynx, and cases will then be reported to the Health Ministry for contact tracing. Individuals more at risk include those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, children, and people with multiple sexual partners. The risk is notably higher for pregnant women because Mpox can affect both the mother and fetus through transmission during pregnancy, potentially leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm delivery.