SHAH ALAM - The potential for mpox, or monkeypox, to replicate the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic is low, according to experts, as this contagious disease does not spread easily among humans and has a lower transmission rate compared to Covid-19 or measles.
Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) public health and infectious disease epidemiology expert from the School of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Dr Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad said that while the risk of mpox becoming a pandemic is minimal, the public should remain cautious about the possibility of infection.
"Although mpox cases have been reported in Malaysia, the numbers remain small, and it has yet to be classified as a local transmission.
"The public is advised to stay vigilant, but there is no need to panic or be overly concerned," he told Sinar.
Dr Wan Mohd Zahiruddin stressed that the Health Ministry is well-prepared to handle a potential mpox outbreak, drawing on the experience gained from managing the Covid-19 pandemic.
This preparation includes standard operating procedures (SOPs), facilities, and human resources in areas such as early case detection, diagnostics, case and contact management, and public health training and education.
He added that public health and epidemiology experts believe mpox primarily spreads through prolonged close contact and does not easily transmit in typical social environments unless there has been direct contact with an individual infected with the mpox virus.
"After exposure to the mpox virus, it may take six to 13 days (with a range of five to 21 days) before the symptomatic phase of the disease begins, known as the incubation period.
"The symptomatic phase can be divided into two stages: the first stage, lasting the first five days, involves non-specific viral infection symptoms such as fever, headache, back pain, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
"In the second stage, one to three days after the onset of fever, a rash may appear on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or near the genital area.
"This rash progresses through several stages, initially appearing as pimples or blisters (fluid-filled), before eventually turning into scabs and healing. The symptomatic period for a mpox infection typically lasts two to four weeks," he added.
Meanwhile, Public Health Specialist Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said that the clinical signs of mpox include flu-like fever, body rash, and blisters similar to chickenpox.
"If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately and isolate yourself to prevent spreading the disease to others," he urged.