MoH confirms no mpox cases in Myanmar amid regional outbreaks

The Ministry of Health announced that no confirmed cases of mpox were reported in the country, despite the presence of infections in neighbouring and regional countries. This statement followed the testing of 129 laboratory samples from suspected patients between 2022 and the present.
The World Health Organization (WHO) first declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 23 July 2022. WHO, once again on 14 August 2024, declared mpox as an international public health emergency due to the rapid spread of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries. The outbreak was exacerbated by a new strain (Clade lb) in eastern DRC, which spread across borders and internationally.
The Ministry of Health also announced that while the risk of mpox infection in Myanmar remains low, preventive measures are currently being undertaken. These include monitoring at ports and border crossings and ensuring the availability of necessary drugs and medical supplies in cooperation with relevant ministries and departments. — TWA/MKKS