Days after the World Health Organization declared Mpox a global health emergency following an outbreak in parts of Africa, new cases have emerged in Sweden and Pakistan.
In response, nations worldwide are enhancing border surveillance measures to mitigate the risk of the virus, which has reportedly claimed over 1,000 lives, from spreading into their populations.
China has implemented stricter border controls, requiring travelers displaying symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and rashes to report their conditions upon arrival.
Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services has convened the Communicable Disease Committee to assess the global situation and evaluate the country’s current prevention, preparedness, and response strategies that were established during the 2022 Mpox global public health emergency.
The Health Ministry has stated that it will undertake necessary actions, including retraining healthcare personnel, while maintaining a focus on enhanced case identification and surveillance to swiftly manage any cases that arise.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact, such as sexual relations, as well as through contact with lesions, body fluids, and contaminated materials like bedding and surfaces.
Typically, Mpox is a mild and self-limiting illness, meaning most individuals recover with supportive treatment focused on alleviating symptoms within weeks, along with measures to prevent further spread. However, prior outbreaks in endemic African regions have indicated that severe illness can occur in certain populations, including those with weakened immune systems, young children, and pregnant women.
The Health Ministry urges recent international travelers who experience symptoms such as fever, body aches, and rashes to seek immediate medical attention.