No Monkeypox Cases In Malta As Ministry Says It’s ‘Closely Monitoring’ Any Potential Cases
As mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) continues to be recorded in a number of countries following the World Health Organisation declaring it an international public health emergency, Malta’s Health Ministry has announced there are no cases of the infectious disease on the island.
In a statement issued late yesterday afternoon, the ministry actually said no mpox case had been recorded in Malta throughout all of 2024. Meanwhile, it did however remind people that Europe has already registered its first case of the disease, in Sweden.
At the same time, however, the ministry did say it was “closely monitoring any potential case”, also explaining the level of risk travellers may have.
“The risk for citizens who travel to affected countries and who have close contact (health workers, domestic contact or other close and/or sexual contact) with affected communities or those who live in affected countries is valued as moderate,” the statement read.
“Surveillance systems have been strengthened so that any suspect mpox cases are found and responded to quickly,” the ministry continued. “Early diagnosis is crucial, and the public is being notified of the symptoms.”
“Those who travel to affected countries are being encouraged to avoid any close contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox, avoid any contact with objects and materials that a person with mpox would’ve used, and washing their hands frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitiser,” the statement added.
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Finally, the ministry urged anyone who has any symptoms of mpox or had close contact with anyone who has mpox, to speak to their family doctor regarding testing and treatment.
“Malta remains vigilant and committed to protect the citizens and the visitors from the monkeypox epidemic,” the Health Ministry finished. “Measures within the public health sector exist to ensure diagnosis and treatment wherever it may be necessary.”
What do you make of this statement?
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