Ministry of Health has stated there have been no cases of monkeypox so far in the Maldives.
The health ministry stated some healthcare service providers have been reporting cases where individuals are showing suspected symptoms of monkeypox. Noting such cases are further evaluated to confirm if it is monkeypox, the health ministry said there have been no cases of monkeypox so far in the Maldives.
On July 23, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) after stating that the rapidly spreading outbreak represents a global health emergency. The PHEIC is the WHO’s highest level of alert, designed to trigger a coordinated international response and unlock funding to collaborate on sharing vaccines and treatments. The latest reports show that monkeypox has affected over 15,000 people in 75 countries.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease that is usually mild and is endemic in parts of west and central Africa. The transmission of the virus among humans is limited, but it can happen through close skin contact, air droplets, bodily fluids, and virus-contaminated objects, and can be contained through such measures as self-isolation and hygiene. Monkeypox can cause a range of signs and symptoms. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. It is followed or accompanied by the development of a rash which can last for two to three weeks.