Amid rising cases of monkeypox in several countries, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued warnings at every port in the country to prevent the spread of the new virus.

Monkeypox Virus: Government puts all ports on alert

DGHS sources said that the officers of all the ports including air and land have been asked to be vigilant. If a suspected patient arrives, they should be identified and rushed to an infectious disease hospital.

Mushtaq Hussain, adviser to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and former chief scientific officer of the institute, said no monkeypox cases have been identified in Bangladesh yet. 
There's no need to be concerned. However, we must remain vigilant.

Around 80 monkeypox cases have been detected in 11 countries. The countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. Monkeypox is most common in central and west Africa.

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection which is usually mild and from which most people recover in a few weeks, according to the UK's National Health Service.

The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk to the wider public is said to be very low.

Despite the fact that there is no specific treatment for monkeypox, health experts around the world claim that the smallpox vaccine is 85 percent effective in preventing the disease.

BDST: 1210 HRS, May 22, 2022

MN