Days after the World Health Organization declared Mpox a global health emergency due to an outbreak in parts of Africa, new cases have emerged in Sweden and Pakistan.
In response, countries worldwide are enhancing border surveillance measures to mitigate the risk of the virus entering their populations. Reports indicate that more than 1,000 lives have already been lost to the outbreak.
China has implemented stricter border controls, mandating that individuals displaying symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and rashes report their conditions upon entry.
Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services has convened the Communicable Disease Committee to assess the global situation and review the current prevention and preparedness strategies established during the 2022 Mpox public health emergency.
The Health Ministry announced that it would take necessary actions, including retraining healthcare workers to strengthen case identification and surveillance, ensuring early management of any potential cases.
Mpox spreads through close contact, including sexual interactions, contact with lesions, body fluids, and contaminated materials like bedding and surfaces.
Typically, Mpox is a mild illness that is self-limiting, and most individuals recover with supportive treatment focused on symptom relief within weeks. However, previous outbreaks in endemic African countries have indicated that severe illness can affect certain vulnerable groups, including individuals with compromised immune systems, young children, and pregnant women.
The Health Ministry urges international travelers experiencing symptoms such as fever, body aches, and rashes to seek immediate medical attention.