Malaysia confirms two cases of monkeypox

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has recorded two cases of monkeypox, says Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan.

He said the first case that was confirmed on July 26 involved a foreign man who has been living and working in Malaysia since April 2022.

He said the person travelled to a country with reported cases of monkeypox on July 6, and returned to Malaysia on July 10.

“He started showing symptoms on July 19, and blisters began to appear on July 23.

“He was isolated and released on Aug 10, after a full recovery without complications,” Dr Muhammad Radzi said in a statement yesterday.

The second case, a local man, experienced symptoms while in quarantine as he had close contact with the index case.

Dr Muhammad Radzi said the man was ordered to undergo quarantine on July 27, and confirmed positive for monkeypox on July 29.

“The second patient is in good health while still being isolated.

“All contacts of the first patient have been identified and their health status monitored.

“No one showed any symptoms of monkeypox infection except for the second patient,” he said.

The incubation period before an individual starts showing symptoms of monkeypox is between five and 21 days from the date of exposure.

Individuals with monkeypox are infectious one day before symptoms appear, until all blisters completely dry up.

Usually, monkeypox cases heal over time without needing any treatment.