The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is urging travelers to regions impacted by Mpox to take necessary precautions to avoid close contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms of the disease. This guidance comes in light of the World Health Organization’s announcement regarding an outbreak of Mpox in the Eastern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with additional cases identified in neighboring nations such as Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Mpox is transmitted through close interactions, sexual activities, and contact with lesions, bodily fluids, or contaminated items like bedding and surfaces. The Ministry has recommended that any individual who experiences fever and body aches, followed by a blistering rash after traveling internationally, seek medical assistance and inform their healthcare provider about their travel history.
Typically, Mpox is considered a mild and self-limiting condition, with most individuals recovering through supportive care within a few weeks, provided that infection prevention and control measures are implemented to minimize transmission to others. However, historical outbreaks in endemic African nations have demonstrated that severe cases can arise, particularly among individuals with weakened immune systems, young children, and pregnant women.
The Ministry of Health has stated that it has already developed protocols and guidelines for addressing Mpox, which were put in place following the WHO’s designation of Mpox as a global public health emergency in 2022. The Ministry also conducted training for healthcare professionals at that time, and ongoing annual training related to infectious disease outbreak responses is carried out through the Fiji CDC.
In reaction to the WHO’s latest announcement regarding a global health emergency for Mpox, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services plans to convene the Communicable Disease Committee to evaluate the situation worldwide. This assessment will encompass Fiji’s current strategies for prevention, preparedness, and response that were established during the 2022 Mpox global health emergency, along with necessary actions such as retraining healthcare personnel.