PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Health has said that until now, there is still no ban placed on travelers from any country around the world, to enter Cambodia due to new cases of Monkeypox. However, the Ministry still informs people to be careful and to carefully monitor the situation of passengers entering Cambodia.

The confirmation from the Ministry comes after a 27-year-old Nigerian man with Monkeypox was found in Cambodia after he escaped a medical treatment facility in Thailand.

Although there is no ban placed on international travelers from any country in the world, the Ministry urges officials at international checkpoints to take a closer look at passengers entering Cambodia, to see if they have any rashes or blisters on their body, accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, or with a history of travel from African countries where Monkeypox is endemic, such as Benin, Cameroon, The Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan.

In addition, travelers flying to countries where there are Monkeypox cases are advised to protect themselves and avoid contact with infected animals, both dead or alive, which may be infected with the Monkeypox virus. Rodents such as kangaroos and mammals are provided as an example, and all travelers are advised to avoid eating wild game.

Citizens showing abnormal or suspected symptoms should immediately report to a health professional, provide one’s travel history and report to the local authorities in a timely manner.

Monkeypox is characterized by rashes, itching, blisters on the face, body, palms, soles of the feet or genitals, accompanied by a fever over 38.5 degrees Celsius, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and body pain, lower back pain, fatigue, or a history of travel to places where there is a recorded outbreak of the disease.

The Ministry of Health advises people to be hygienic and live cleanly by regularly washing their hands, washing with soap or alcohol sanitizer, avoiding direct contact with patients or sharing materials with others, eating only well-cooked food and keeping food hygienic, and avoiding contact with animals.

The Ministry urges anyone with a rash accompanied by fever and other Monkeypox-like symptoms to consult their nearest doctor and be isolated immediately until a clear diagnosis is made. If no symptoms are present, isolation is not required and people can resume their work normally, however, the Ministry urges all to still be careful and not touch others during the 21-day follow-up period after having contact with a person who has Monkeypox.

The Ministry also urges local authorities to continue educating people on maintaining good health and raising awareness on contagion spreading in their communities. In addition, the ministry advises health workers to protect themselves in case of suspicion of contamination, and to ensure thorough inspections are taking place at the border.