After the World Health Organization declared Mpox a global health emergency due to outbreaks in parts of Africa, new cases have emerged in Sweden and Pakistan.
In response, nations worldwide are enhancing border surveillance to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading into their populations. Reports indicate that the outbreak has resulted in over 1,000 fatalities globally.
China has implemented stricter border entry requirements, mandating that travelers with symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle pain, and rashes report their conditions upon arrival.
Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services has convened its Communicable Disease Committee to assess the global situation and review the country’s current prevention, preparedness, and response strategies, which were put in place during the previous Mpox global health emergency in 2022.
The Ministry of Health announced that it will undertake necessary measures, including retraining healthcare workers. Like in 2022, the response will prioritize enhanced case identification and surveillance to ensure early detection and management of cases.
Mpox spreads through close contact, which includes sexual interactions and contact with infected lesions, body fluids, or contaminated materials like bedding and surfaces. Typically, it is a mild and self-limiting illness, meaning most individuals recover with supportive care focused on alleviating symptoms within a few weeks. However, past outbreaks in endemic regions of Africa have revealed that severe illness can occur in vulnerable populations, such as those with weakened immune systems, young children, and pregnant women.
The Health Ministry urges international travelers experiencing symptoms like fever, body aches, and rashes to seek immediate medical help.