August 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan health authorities have heightened surveillance following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern.
Despite the global rise in cases, local health officials report no significant surge within the country, maintaining that the immediate threat remains low due to existing preventive measures.
Additional precautionary measures are under consideration, according to Health Ministry sources. These include intensified monitoring at entry points like airports and seaports, given that most cases have been linked to international travel from regions with higher infection rates.
Monkeypox, primarily a self-limiting illness, typically presents symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, lasting between two to four weeks. Transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids, lesions, or contaminated materials like clothing and bedding used by an infected person.
However, the outbreak has also fuelled stigma, particularly against the LGBTQIA+ community. The prevalence of cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) has led to misconceptions, with some incorrectly viewing the disease as exclusive to this group.
This narrative risks further marginalising the LGBTQIA+ community, overshadowing the broader public health approach needed to combat monkeypox.
Public health experts emphasise that the disease’s transmission is based on close contact, not sexual orientation, urging against discrimination and promoting accurate information to prevent unnecessary stigma.
