The Ministry of Health and Medical Services urges travelers to regions experiencing Mpox outbreaks to exercise caution and avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of the disease. This advisory comes in light of the World Health Organization’s recent announcement regarding an outbreak in the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with additional cases reported in neighboring nations such as Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Mpox can be transmitted through close interactions, sexual activities, and contact with lesions, body fluids, or contaminated objects like bedding and surfaces. The Ministry recommends that anyone who experiences fever, body aches, and a blistering rash following international travel should seek medical attention promptly and disclose their travel history to healthcare providers.
Typically, Mpox is a mild and self-limiting illness, with most individuals recovering through supportive care within a few weeks. Infection control measures are crucial to preventing its spread. However, data from past outbreaks in endemic African countries indicate that severe cases can arise, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those with weakened immune systems, young children, and pregnant women.
The Ministry emphasizes that it has already established protocols and guidelines for managing Mpox since the WHO categorized it as a global public health emergency in 2022. Training for healthcare professionals was initiated at that time, and the Fiji CDC continues to provide annual training sessions on infectious disease outbreak response.
In light of the WHO’s recent declaration regarding Mpox as a global health emergency, the Ministry is assembling the Communicable Disease Committee to assess the current situation worldwide. This evaluation will also include a review of Fiji’s existing prevention, preparedness, and response strategies that were implemented during the 2022 public health crisis, along with necessary actions such as retraining healthcare personnel.