Oman’s Health Ministry Confirms No Cases of Monkeypox Reported

The Ministry of Health in Oman has confirmed that no cases of monkeypox have been reported in the country so far. The ministry has requested citizens and residents to follow updates only from official sources and emphasized that necessary measures are in place to monitor public health.

According to the Ministry of Health, the department is continuously monitoring developments related to monkeypox through its Disease Surveillance and Prevention Center and Emergency Management Center. This monitoring has intensified following the declaration of a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The ministry also emphasized that laboratory tests necessary for diagnosing the disease are available and that ongoing coordination with the WHO and other international and regional organizations involved in infectious disease monitoring is being maintained.

International Emergency Declared for Monkeypox Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the highest level of international health alert in response to the resurgence of the new strain of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) in Africa.

Tedros Adhanom, WHO Director-General, announced on Wednesday, August 14, that due to the rapid spread of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries, the current public health situation is considered a “public health emergency.”

He stated, “In a meeting with the WHO emergency committee, the current health situation at the international level has been declared an emergency.”

Monkeypox can present symptoms similar to a cold, including headaches, muscle pain, severe fatigue, and fever, and can also cause skin lesions throughout the body. However, these symptoms may be severe enough to result in death. The new strain of the virus can be transmitted through sexual contact and even close skin-to-skin contact.

According to the WHO Director-General, it is clear that a coordinated international response is essential to halt the spread of the disease and save lives.

Additionally, Demi Oguina, Chair of the WHO expert committee, told reporters that “all fifteen members of this committee agree that conditions are ripe for declaring an international public health emergency.”

Previously, in 2022, the WHO had also declared a public health emergency regarding the outbreak of this virus. However, officials have noted that this time, the virus is more transmissible and dangerous, with a 3.6% mortality rate among those infected.

On Tuesday, the Africa CDC also issued a “highest level of alert” regarding the outbreak in the continent.

Since January 2022, 38,465 cases of the disease, previously known as monkeypox, have been reported in 16 African countries, with 1,456 deaths among them.

According to the Africa CDC, the incidence of this virus in 2024 has increased by 160% compared to the previous two years.

Source: Oman’s Health Ministry Confirms No Cases of Monkeypox Reported (omannews.gov.om)