JOHOR BARU: The Health Ministry has confirmed that 46 cases of suspected monkeypox or mpox virus in Malaysia turned out negative.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic) said that to date, only nine mpox cases had been recorded in Malaysia, all last year.
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Almost 5.2 million travellers have been screened at international entry points since Aug 16, he added.
"The last time, we encountered a positive variant of clade 2 (nine cases) – not clade 1b, which is more virulent – was in December," he told reporters at the Clean, Smoke-Free Premises Walkabout Programme in Jalan Dhoby here on Thursday (Sept 5) night.
Also present were state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, Health director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli, and Johor Health director Dr Mohtar Pungut @ Ahmad.
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Dzulkefly noted that mpox screenings at entry points, including airports, would not cause delays in travellers' clearance.
"We will continue to improve our security at land, air and sea international entrances.
"(Screening is conducted) using a mobile scanner so I don't see any interruptions or delays (in clearance)," he added. – Bernama
