In order to combat the Mpox virus, also known as monkeypox, Malaysia is ready to receive Tecovirimat (TPOXX) and MVA-BN vaccination through the 'COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fun'.
Vaccinations and antiviral drugs will be given selectively, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The MVA-BN vaccine will only be administered after careful medical evaluation especially to high-risk populations, such as healthcare workers and close contacts of confirmed cases.
TPOXX is intended to treat severe cases of Mpox, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
A mass vaccination campaign is not currently planned, instead, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is focusing on prevention and focused surveillance.
At the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), nearly 3.26 million tourists have been screened for mpox and a total of 34 suspected cases, but the tests that have been carried out have all been negative.
In line with its preparedness plan, the Ministry of Health has established a special screening section at KLIA for visitors from high-risk countries, manned 24 hours a day by 30 medical officers.
In addition, eight government facilities and a public university laboratory collaborated to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Mpox cases.
Following an increase in cases of the novel strain, Clade 1b, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where more than 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths have been documented this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an mpox-related emergency.
The virus is now outside the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries, having also spread to Thailand and Sweden.
