Various countries in South and Southeast Asia have stepped up surveillance, preparedness measures, and public awareness campaigns in response to the global pandemic of MPOX, a deadly viral disease formerly known as monkeypox.
But some observers say challenges remain in fighting the spread of the virus, including the need for joint or regional strategies, capacity-building measures for large-scale testing and vaccination, and more aggressive public health campaigns.
On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the viral disease a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” the organization's highest level of alert. The WHO made the declaration after MPOX outbreaks emerged in several African countries.
The WHO reports that there have been more than 500 MPOX-related deaths this year, a 19% increase from last year. More than 14,000 MPOX cases have been reported, a 160% increase from 2023.
What is mpox?
According to the WHO, “Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes MPOX, a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox but less severe.”
Mpox causes a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes and fever, and although it is usually mild, it can be fatal, especially in people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and children.
It's a disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals such as squirrels, monkeys and Gambia rats, and Mpox can also be spread from person to person through “body fluids, lesions on the skin and internal mucosal surfaces such as the mouth and throat, respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated objects,” the UN health agency said in a fact sheet.
The WHO said the current outbreak is caused by a lineage 1 variant of the monkeypox virus, which is believed to be more severe than lineage 2, which caused a global pandemic two years ago.
As of Friday, here's how several Asian countries that have suffered huge deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic are dealing with MPOX:
Thailand
Thai authorities announced on August 21 that they had confirmed the country's first case of the new MPOX variant in 2024. This is the first case confirmed in Asia and the second case confirmed outside of Africa.
“We have identified a suspected case of monkeypox, specifically lineage I, in a 66-year-old European man who travelled from Africa, where the disease is currently widespread. He arrived in Thailand at 6pm on August 14 and by August 15 had developed symptoms consistent with monkeypox, including fever,” said Dr Thongchai Keerathihattayakorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC).
Authorities are monitoring 43 close contacts of the patient and have warned travellers arriving from Africa to be vigilant.
So far this year, 135 cases of MPOX have been recorded in Thailand.
Philippines
On August 19, the Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines reported the 10th case of poliopox in a 33-year-old man who had no history of international travel, but health officials said the case was not new, but was caused by the mild clade 2 variant.
Health Minister Teodoro Herbosa said Friday there was no public health emergency regarding MPOX. He had previously said the government was closely monitoring cases of MPOX and was updating guidelines encouraging potential cases to seek consultation and testing.
Malaysia
Malaysia has stepped up surveillance at key entry points despite not recording any new cases so far this year.
Health professionals must report any suspected cases to local authorities.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, 88 cases of MPOX infection have been confirmed since the beginning of 2023.
The Ministry of Health is stepping up testing at key entry points and intensifying public awareness campaigns.
Bangladesh
Although no cases of MPOX have been confirmed in Bangladesh yet (as of August 22), the country is preparing two hospitals and forming a team of specialized doctors.
The Ministry of Health has also launched awareness programmes and is considering requesting vaccines from the WHO.
Ruj Chuenban in Bangkok, Jason Gutierrez in Manila, Iman Muttaqin Yusof in Kuala Lumpur, Tria Dianti in Jakarta, Ahammed Foyez in Dhaka and Bryant Macale in Lubbock, Texas, contributed to this report.
