Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said Putrajaya should also look at ways to intensify controls at the country’s borders and monitor the entry of travellers from affected countries.

Yii said there was a need to take the monkeypox outbreak seriously, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) has held an emergency meeting about the alarming spread of the virus.

As of May 21, WHO has reported 92 confirmed monkeypox cases in Australia, Canada, the US, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

“This is why proper guidelines and recommendations must be issued by the ministry including an advisory for Malaysians who are planning to visit countries affected by the monkeypox outbreak to get vaccinated beforehand to protect themselves against the virus,” he said in a statement.

Yii said WHO recommends the smallpox vaccine, which is said to be 85% effective against monkeypox.

He said the public should also be educated and provided with guidelines on monitoring monkeypox symptoms, and whether a quarantine period is needed to prevent local transmission.

“Those who are experiencing symptoms after returning from countries affected should be advised to immediately seek medical examination.

“So far, the virus has not been reported in Malaysia, so we have to be extra vigilant,” he said.

The virus, which originates from monkeys, can spread through contact with body fluids such as saliva, nasal mucus and phlegm. The symptoms include fever, aches and a distinctive bumpy rash.