PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Health has issued instructions to those who have signs of rash, itching, blisters on the body, palms, soles, feet and face with fever over 38.5 degrees Celsius to be isolated for a health checkup as it may be a suspected case of Monkeypox. Cambodia does not yet have any cases of this disease, but such safety measures should still be taken in the event that a case is found in the country.

According to the instruction published by the Ministry of Health on 25 May 2022, in addition to symptoms of rash, itching, blisters, and a fever, other symptoms for Monkeypox include headaches, swelling of the lymph nodes, muscle and body pain, lower back pain, and exhaustion. A history of travel to countries where an outbreak of Monkeypox has been previously recorded is also a potential indicator.

The Ministry said that individuals who isolate themselves will need to undergo laboratory tests by providing health officials samples of any wounds they may have on their bodies, which will be sent for analysis at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge laboratory.

Suspected cases should isolate until receiving confirmation of a negative laboratory result for the Monkeypox virus. Additionally, anyone who has been in contact or around a suspected case, especially immediate family members and relatives, should be tracked down and monitored in accordance with the International Regulation 2005 (IHR 2005) and the existing case reporting network.

The Ministry of Health also advises the general public to practice good hygiene and clean living by regularly washing hands with soap and water, eating well-cooked food and taking other measures to prevent respiratory infections. Additionally, the Ministry stresses avoiding direct contact with patients or suspected persons, including sexual contact, all forms of skin contact, or contact with surfaces a suspected patient may have touched, until the patient has recovered or been confirmed negative for the virus.

The Ministry states that those who are related to the patient do not necessarily have to isolate and can work normally, but must still be careful not to touch others during work and must be monitored for 21 days after the day of contact with a Monkeypox patient.

Additionally, to prevent the spread of infection at hospitals or health centers, the Ministry’s instruction states that they must work in accordance with medical techniques, training and guidance provided in the context of Covid-19 prevention. In both suspected and confirmed cases, health officials must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) before having contact with patients. The medical team should be vigilant and closely monitor patients with rashes, including pustular rash, fever and the other symptoms as previously stated.

The Ministry added that there is no ban of travelers from any country entering Cambodia, but passengers arriving in the country should be careful and monitor their situation. In addition to the stated measures, the Ministry of Health is also looking for sources to acquire a supply of Monkeypox vaccines for Cambodia in advance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently received report of a series of Monkeypox outbreaks confirmed on 6 May 2022 in the United Kingdom from a traveler from Nigeria, where the disease is considered endemic.

As of 23 May 2022, Monkeypox cases have been recorded in 19 non-endemic countries around the world. According to the WHO, there are now a total of 158 reported cases of Monkeypox, a total of 117 suspected cases being investigated, and no deaths. Two cases of this disease have been reported specifically in the Western Pacific.