Beginning today (May 27), the MySejahtera application will also be used to help foreigners monitor symptoms of monkeypox.
Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said travellers from countries with reported monkeypox cases will be sent an alert on the MySejahtera app.
“As of today (May 27), the MySejahtera app will be updated so passengers from countries where monkeypox is endemic and isn’t, will receive an alert,” said Khairy.
Khairy said these travellers would be reminded to monitor for symptoms for 21 days as the incubation period for monkeypox was up to three weeks.
Khairy said there were no monkeypox cases in Malaysia and that these were precautionary measures taken by authorities to prevent an outbreak.
He also said the Health Ministry would increase its diagnostic capabilities to screen for monkeypox using a PCR test.
Khairy said public and private hospitals as well as clinics have been instructed by the Health Ministry to be ready to detect monkeypox cases.
“We will vaccinate those with close contacts and also health workers attending to patients with monkeypox.
“For now, there are no plans for mass vaccination,” added Khairy.
In the event of a monkeypox outbreak, Khairy said the MySejahtera’s Home Surveillance Order (HSO) SOP for Covid-19 would be replicated.
Among the symptoms of monkeypox were acute rashes, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and body aches, back pain and profound weakness.
