No monkeypox infection detected in Johor

PETALING JAYA, May 21 (Bernama) -- A security guard was fined RM2,000 in default four months jail  by the Magistrate's Court today for possession of 380 fire crackers without a permit last year.

However, he said the Johor State Health Department (JKNJ) took precautionary measures following the  monkeypox case has been detected in Singapore, involving a 38-year-old Nigerian.

The department also took action in preventing this monkeypox infection which includes increasing its surveillance activities at all Johor's entrance, especially to those with a history of visiting Nigeria.

"Information related to this monkeypox disease is also distributed to all healthcare personnel including frontline staff to detect early suspect cases if any," he said in a statement here today.

The instructions were also given to report immediately if there was a suspected case of monkeypox to the Crisis Preparedness Response Centre (CPRC) operational room, he said.

Meanwhile, those who visit monkeypox endemic countries (central and western Africa), are advised to avoid contact with wild animals and not eating its meat.

In addition, they are also encouraged to always practice personal hygiene including keeping hands clean with soap and water as well as using alcohol-based sanitiser when no water or soap is available.

On May 9, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) in a statement confirmed a monkeypox case had been detected involving a 38-year-old Nigerian patient, who attended a workshop in the country on April 28.

The patient with symptomatic fever, muscle aches and rashes was tested positive for the monkeypox infection and was transferred to the isolation ward at the republic's National Infectious Disease Centre (NCID).

The cause of the monkeypox virus was identified through the bushmeat that was eaten at a wedding ceremony.

-- BERNAMA