PETALING JAYA: The health ministry does not plan to implement a movement control order to control the spread of the mpox outbreak as was done during the Covid-19 pandemic about four years ago.
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said this decision was made after 6.2 million travellers entering the country tested negative for the virus.
“As a minister, I am always pressured into improving standard operating procedures. Don’t worry, there will be no MCO.
"However, I also want to remind everyone not to get too comfortable as we are aware of the virus’ (continued) transmission,"he said at the health ministry training institute in Sungai Buloh today.
As of yesterday, Singapore reported 15 cases of mpox. The number of reported mpox cases in Malaysia remains at nine, recorded at the end of last year.
Dzulkefly confirmed that there have been 52 suspected cases of mpox to date, but all of them have tested negative.
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"This includes screening at international sea, air and land entry points,"he said.
He said his ministry will be ready to provide mpox antiviral treatment to vulnerable groups and those with low immunity to prevent the spread of the virus, if necessary.