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Jigmi Wangdi
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has been on alert since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14. It has been taking precautionary measures to handle any cases that may be imported into Bhutan.
In the WHO South-East Asia Region, Pakistan reported three cases on 16 August and one case on 19 August. The reported cases belonged to the Clade 2 variant of the virus. Similarly, Thailand detected a case of mpox on 21 August in a patient with a travel history to Africa.
Based on genetic differences, mpox variants can be divided into clades 1 and 2. Health officials said the variant in the recent outbreak is classified as clade 1b.
The Ministry of Health’s mpox preparedness report highlighted that the Clade 1b variant is said to be more deadly and more easily spread between people.
The report noted that identifying mpox is difficult because other infections and conditions can look similar.
“MPox must be distinguished from chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmitted infections, and drug-related allergies,” the report states. “People with mpox may also have other sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes. Alternatively, a child suspected of having mpox may also have chickenpox.”
Common symptoms of mpox are skin rashes or mucosal lesions that can last 2-4 weeks, along with fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, lack of energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
The virus is transmitted to humans through physical contact with people who have been exposed to contaminated material or infected animals. Sexual contact is the most common mode of transmission.
In response to the globally declared global health emergency, the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) was activated on August 15. The HEOC is currently in the Alert Phase.
If the situation worsens, the HEOC will coordinate the response, ensuring rapid decision-making and efficient allocation of resources.
The Ministry of Transport has been conducting monitoring at ports of entry. Starting from August 16, the Ministry of Transport, with the support of the Ministry of Air Transport and the two airlines, began to issue announcements on board for incoming flights.
Passengers arriving from affected countries are asked to self-report to the airport health office for health assessment.
As of August 21, a total of 32 flights arrived with a total of 1,382 passengers, but no passenger reported symptoms or travel history to the epidemic area.
The ministry has also communicated with the Immigration Department to assist in monitoring travelers entering the country by road.
If travelers arrive from affected countries through land ports, especially Samchi, Poontsholing, Gelephu and Samdrudzongkar, immigration officials should immediately inform health personnel.
The Ministry of Health’s Public Health Department and the Royal Centre for Disease Control will strengthen the surveillance system to detect and report new cases in a timely manner, with special attention paid to ports of entry.
The Ministry of Health will focus on strengthening health infrastructure, with a focus on equipping isolation facilities, ensuring the availability of vaccines and immunization services, enhancing laboratory and diagnostic capabilities, providing personal protective equipment (PPE), and comprehensively training health care workers in infection prevention and control, case investigation and case management.
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