The Ministry of Health has identified 14 cases of Mpox disease in young men under 40.The Ministry has said that it will continue preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease into the community.On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health announced it had discovered two new cases of Mpox, formerly known as “monkeypox”. Both patients are now undergoing treatment at hospitals in Phnom Penh.
In just the past month, there has been a leap from zero to 14 cases of Mpox among young men between the ages of 20 and 39, most of whom are living in Phnom Penh, the Ministry said.
It added that the Mpox virus is transmitted from person to person through all forms of sexual contact and direct contact with wounds, body fluids, saliva, airborne droplets and utensils contaminated with the virus, including clothing. Mattresses, towels, spoons, plates and glasses of water may transmit the virus as well.
The virus is also transmitted from mother to child through the umbilical cord, during or after childbirth, and through direct contact with a pregnant woman or relative who has been infected, the ministry said.
The ministry is advising the public to take care of their personal and family hygiene, especially to practice safe sex by using condoms each time they have sex, and to avoid having multiple sex partners.
The ministry is calling on people to avoid direct contact with persons infected with Mpox. It is advising anyone who has contact with Mpox victims immediately to wash their hands with water, soap, sterile gel or alcohol.
Individuals who suspect or confirm a case of Mpox should be isolated in quarantine until the scabs are gone and the tests show negative results for the Mpox virus. The Ministry notes that persons who provide patient care for infected victims must take appropriate protective measures.
The ministry added that Mpox can be identified from rashes with blisters on the face, palms, feet, body, eyes, mouth or genitals. Victims also suffer fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, low back pain and fatigue.
Whether a sick person has direct contact or no history of contact with Mpox victims, they are advised to consult a health centre or hospital for a check-up or test for the virus and to receive expert advice and treatment.
Koy Vanny, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said yesterday that the two patients infected with Mpox were under care and treatment by doctors.
“As of now, no case is serious or fatal. We must leave them alone until they recover. But we cannot confirm the location of any patient in the capital or province, or reveal where we are providing treatment to maintain their privacy.”
He said that as of Sunday afternoon, there have been no deaths from Mpox in Cambodia.
He said that compared to neighbouring countries or other countries, Cambodia has very few cases of Mpox because the Ministry has taken specific measures to prevent it, especially in cooperation with infected patients to isolate them from the community.
Vanny added that persons who suspect an infection should visit a hospital and receive confidential testing. The disease can be cared for and treated without permanent after effects, and usually disappears after two or three weeks.
Dr Quach Mengly, a well-known public health physician, has said that vaccinations are available for monkeypox, so if the disease spreads further, the Ministry may announce a public vaccination programme to prevent further outbreaks.