No cases of MPox found in Malta

Malta has not recorded any cases of infection with MPox this year, the Maltese Ministry of Health said on Monday, while advising tourists traveling to affected countries to take precautions to avoid contracting the virus.

Health authorities are “closely monitoring any potential cases” and have strengthened surveillance systems to detect and respond to suspected cases of MPOX, the health authority said in a statement.

Less than a week after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global public health emergency for the measles outbreak, the Ministry of Health said: “Early diagnosis is crucial and the public is being informed about how to recognise the symptoms of the disease.”

The virus, formerly known as monkeypox, causes fever, muscle aches and large, boil-like skin lesions.

The Ministry of Health said the risk of contracting the virus is “moderate” for people living in or travelling to affected countries, as well as those in close contact with affected communities.

It said people who had travelled to affected countries and had not had close contact with local communities were considered to be at low risk.

The Ministry of Health recommends avoiding close contact with people who have a rash similar to that caused by the virus, and avoiding contact with objects and materials used by people diagnosed with MPOX.

The rash caused by MPox usually first appears on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, starting as flat sores and then developing into itchy or painful fluid-filled blisters, according to the World Health Organization.

The ministry encourages the public to wash their hands frequently and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

It added that people who have symptoms of the virus or have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms are advised to discuss testing and treatment with their GP.

What is Mpox?

Formerly known as monkeypox, the virus was first identified in humans in 1970 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

It is an infectious disease caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans through infected animals but can also be spread from person to person through close physical contact.

In May 2022, a global surge in MPOX infections, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men, was reported due to subclade 2b, a variant of MPOX. In response, WHO declared a public health emergency that will last from July 2022 to May 2023.

A global public health emergency is the highest level of alert under the International Health Regulations, which are legally binding on 196 countries.

In 2022, the incidence of monkeypox in Malta was Highest in Europe.

That outbreak, now largely subsided, resulted in about 90,000 cases and about 140 deaths.

Subclade 1b has been emerging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since September 2023, causing more severe disease and higher mortality than subclade 2b.

WHO warn After Sweden announced the first case of ASF-1 outside of Africa, more cases of ASF-1 are likely to be confirmed in Europe soon.

Last week, the Democratic Republic of Congo said its smallpox outbreak had killed 548 people so far this year.