Bangladesh is on high alert for Mpox (previously monkeypox), an infectious disease, which has spread across various countries, particularly in Central Africa. The disease, which leads to symptoms such as pain, swollen lymph nodes, and fever, has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
Pakistan on Friday reported the first Mpox case in Asia. A day earlier, the first case outside the African continent was detected in Sweden. The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared Mpox a global public health emergency, its highest form of alert.
However, no cases have been detected in Bangladesh yet. We all will have to remain vigilant due to the infectious nature of the disease. The government will have to take proactive measures to prevent Mpox from entering the country. Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact. The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.
Guidelines will also be issued for airports, river routes, and other points of entry where caution is necessary. The health authorities urged individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms or come into contact with an infected person, especially within 21 days of travelling to an affected country.
We believe the government is committed to ensuring that no one enters the country with Mpox. Therefore, it is important to remain vigilant due to the infectious nature of the disease.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by
a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but
can also be passed
from human to human
Apart from airport, proactive measures must be taken at all land ports and seaports to prevent Mpox from entering the country. Dhaka airport’s health team has set up a system to handle passengers with Mpox symptoms.
Passengers' temperature must be screened using thermal scanner archways, and those with symptoms will be sent to designated hospitals via ambulance if necessary.
All have to follow the WHO guidelines like avoiding close contact with suspected or confirmed Mpox cases, wearing medical masks, avoiding skin-to-skin contact, using disposable gloves, and regularly cleaning hands with soap or alcohol-based hand rub. The health ministry will have to strengthen surveillance at entry points to prevent infected individuals from entering the country, expanding testing facilities, preparing hospital isolation wards, securing antiviral drugs, and arranging vaccines for high-risk individuals. The government will also have to raise public awareness without causing panic through campaigns in mass and social media. Mpox, a viral disease related to the eradicated smallpox virus, was first identified in monkeys in Denmark in 1958.
Two different clades exist: clade I and clade II. The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of Mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported Mpox and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying.
It is clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives. This is something that should concern us all. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders must maintain high levels of preparedness planning and awareness-raising activities to enable rapid detection and response.
