The Ministry of Health held a coordination meeting on the prevention and monitoring activities of monkeypox infectious disease yesterday afternoon in Nay Pyi Taw.
At the meeting, Union Minister Prof Dr Thet Khaing Win said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an outbreak of monkeypox in some European countries.
He highlighted the need to make health education public to raise awareness of the differences and possible causes of chickenpox, smallpox and the recent outbreak of monkeypox in some countries to make sure that the people will not panic as there is an outbreak of chickenpox among children in Myanmar.
There is a need to intensify disease surveillance activities on existing communicable diseases as well as monkeypox although there is little evidence of the disease in Myanmar, and the preparations must be made for lab testing and medical work, he said.
The Union minister added that the monkey virus is transmitted from animals to humans, and the environmental protection sector, farming sector, and the health sector must be integrated according to the One Health Approach.
Afterwards, the health officials who attended the meeting explained the research and lab preparations for monkeypox infectious disease, and the Union minister made concluding remarks.
At the coordination meeting to prevent the outbreak of dengue fever held yesterday morning, the Union minister highlighted the need to continuously carry out monitoring and control measures of the disease by cooperating with the relevant ministries, especially the general administration departments of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the data received between 1 January and 20 May, there were 1,516 cases and two deaths, with the highest outbreak in Yangon Region, Ayeyawady Region and Mon State. In 2021, there were 5,446 cases and 36 deaths in Myanmar. According to the annual outbreak analysis, there is a high risk of outbreaks this year, the Union minister said.
It is necessary to provide health education on dengue fever. When the school season arrives, school-based immunization and school-based dengue prevention activities will be carried out at the same time, the Union minister ordered.
Afterwards, Deputy Director Dr Nay Yee Yee Lin explained the incidence and prevention of dengue fever in Myanmar, and the participants discussed the plans to be involved in the prevention of dengue fever in each sector. — MNA
