The ministry of health has intensified its surveillance for possible instances of monkeypox in Bhutan

Due to an upsurge in monkeypox cases reported from various countries throughout the world, the health ministry has intensified surveillance at entry ports and border areas. Despite the fact that no cases have yet been reported in neighbouring countries, health experts say the government is keeping a tight eye on the situation.

As part of precautionary measures, the health ministry has begun screening for monkeypox symptoms at the Paro international airport and border areas.

Symptoms include blisters on the hands, body, face, eyes, mouth, feet, or genitals, as well as swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscular discomfort, and backache.

"We developed the monkeypox management recommendations. We've activated the surveillance system, which means that if health professionals find monkeypox, they'll report it online, and we'll get an SMS alert and perhaps notify the contact tracing system " The health ministry's Officiating Director of Public Health, Rixin Jamtsho, claimed as much.

He went on to say that because the monkeypox virus spreads through contact with body fluids, monkeypox lesions, and contaminated shared items, bans and processes like COVID-19 are superfluous.

Contract tracking will be easier due of the ease with which monkeypox can be diagnosed, and there will be no need for facility isolation or quarantine. Individuals should practise proper personal hygiene to keep the virus at bay, according to the ministry.

"Monkeypox is a virus similar to chickenpox, however it is less contagious. However, it will be determined by the risk group. Compilations could be provided to a weak person with immunodeficiency-like conditions, as well as cancer patients, diabetics, and others " The Officiating Director made a point about it.

According to the Health Minister, a few countries committed their support and assistance in the case of a monkeypox outbreak in Bhutan at the recent World Health Assembly.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has created monkeypox research priorities in response to an upsurge in cases in non-endemic nations.

The WHO has recorded nearly 800 confirmed cases of monkeypox from 27 countries where the virus is not prevalent.

On a global scale, the WHO has assessed the risk as moderate for the time being.