Mpox alert: How prepared is Bangladesh?
Although no cases of mpox have been detected in Bangladesh yet, the health ministry today announced that the country is on high alert for the disease.
Daud Adnan, deputy director of the Department of Hospitals and Clinics at the Directorate General of Health Services, said it is important to remain vigilant due to the infectious nature of the disease.
He said they are taking proactive measures to prevent mpox from entering the country.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, leads to symptoms such as pain, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. It has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
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Pakistan on Friday reported the first mpox case in Asia. A day earlier, the first case outside the African continent was detected in Sweden. The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency, its highest form of alert.
Health authorities in Bangladesh have urged anyone with symptoms or who has been in contact with an infected person, especially within 21 days of travel to an affected country, to seek medical attention immediately. For assistance, the public can call helplines 16263 or 10655.
Dhaka airport's health team has set up a system to handle passengers with mpox symptoms, according to a media release. The airport is providing leaflets, and arrival health desks are staffed by doctors 24/7.
Passengers' temperatures are screened using thermal scanner archways, and those with symptoms will be sent to designated hospitals via ambulance if necessary, airport authorities said.
They recommended avoiding close contact with suspected or confirmed mpox cases, wearing medical masks, avoiding skin-to-skin contact, using disposable gloves, and regularly cleaning hands with soap or alcohol-based hand rub.
Dr Mohammad Jahidur Rahman Khan, assistant professor of virology at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, told The Business Standard that while no mpox cases have been identified in Bangladesh yet, it's crucial to be alert now.
He outlined key measures: strengthening surveillance at entry points to prevent infected individuals from entering the country, expanding testing facilities, preparing hospital isolation wards, securing antiviral drugs, and arranging vaccines for high-risk individuals.
Dr Rahman also urged the government to raise public awareness without causing panic through campaigns in mass and social media.
What we know about mpox
Mpox, a viral disease related to the eradicated smallpox virus, was first identified in monkeys in Denmark in 1958. Two different clades exist: clade I and clade II.
Clade I outbreaks have seen mortality rates as high as 10%, though recent cases have lower death rates. Clade II has a fatality rate of less than 0.2%. Infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to severe infections.
While there is currently no specific treatment for mpox, some antiviral drugs are under testing. The only vaccine is believed to be stockpiled by Western countries.
According to the WHO, the goal of treating mpox is to take care of the rash, manage pain and prevent complications. Early and supportive care is important to help manage symptoms and avoid further problems.
