Health Ministry confirms three new cases of Mpox in Phnom Penh – Khmer Times

The Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed that three more people were infected with Mpox (formerly called monkey pox), taking the total number of cases to nine in the country.

According to the press release issued by the Ministry of Health, the new cases were reported in Dangkor, Tuol Kork and Por Senchey districts of Phnom Penh and the patients are undergoing treatment.

The first new case of Mpox in Cambodia occurred on a 28-year-old man living in Po Pe village, Toek Thla commune, Sen Sok district, Phnom Penh.

Subsequently, there were new cases of Mpox, but the Health Ministry has not revealed their identities.

Following the three fresh cases, the ministry urged residents to take utmost care of their personal hygiene with a high sense of responsibility to prevent the disease from spreading.

The Health Ministry in its statement said 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 virus contaminated equipment, including clothing, towels or spoons, among other things.

The Mpox virus can also be transmitted from mother to child through the umbilical cord during or after childbirth, if a mother has the immunodeficiency syndrome.

Dr Quach Mengly, a renowned public health physician, said that Mpox is a viral disease caused by monkeys, mice, bats and squirrels.

It is a very rare disease in Cambodia; the symptom is itchiness all over the body. We do not want it to happen much in Cambodia because this virus can spread very quickly.

According to Dr Mengly, the symptoms of Mpox are similar to those of the flu, with fever, chills, fatigue, pain in the joints and rashes. There is no specific treatment yet; only primary care can be given to the infected patients.

It causes muscle pain, bone pain, a high temperature, and, most importantly, an itchy rash that leaves scars for between six months and one year, said Dr Mengly.

On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a global emergency that poses a risk to public health, especially in Europe.

According to the WHO, as of January 25, 2024, the disease has been spreading in 117 countries, with a total of 93,030 cases and 176 deaths across the world.

A rare disease caused by infection with the Mpox virus, the disease shows symptoms similar to smallpox, although less severe.

While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, Mpox continues to occur in countries in central and western Africa.

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Health Ministry confirms three new cases of Mpox in Phnom Penh - Khmer Times