Mpox 2024: Navigating the Evolving Outbreak

On 27 August 2024, the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice (CEBP), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, in collaboration with the College of Public Health Medicine (CPHM) and the Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) Wilayah Persekutuan, hosted a hybrid webinar titled “Mpox 2024: Navigating the Evolving Outbreak.” The event aimed to provide healthcare professionals with up-to-date insights into the ongoing Mpox outbreak and equip them with strategies for effective management and prevention.

The webinar was conducted as a hybrid, physically held at the Regional Training Centre for Western Pacific Region (SPM Studio), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, and streamed online on Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube Live, attracting a diverse audience of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and infection preventionists.

The session was moderated by Professor Dr Victor Hoe Chee Wai Abdullah, Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, as it featured presentations from two distinguished experts in public health and infectious diseases.

Session 1: Epidemiological Trends and Prevention Strategies by Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki, a public health medicine specialist, presented the latest developments in Mpox epidemiology on both national and global levels. She highlighted the importance of vaccine recommendations, community-level prevention, and public health interventions.

Session 2: Clinical Management and Treatment of Mpox by Dr Sazali Basri, a clinical specialist in infectious diseases, focused on the clinical management and treatment options for Mpox. He provided guidance on how to manage the disease in healthcare settings and emphasised customised approaches for frontline workers, laboratorians, and infection control personnel.

The webinar concluded with a forum discussion where participants engaged with the panel of experts, asking insightful questions on Mpox transmission, vaccination, and challenges in disease management. The event successfully fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals, empowering them to remain vigilant and prepared in tackling the evolving Mpox outbreak.

Agenda:

Time	Session
12.30 pm – 12.35 pm	Opening Remarks by the Chairperson, Professor Dr Victor Hoe
12.35 pm – 12.55 pm	Session 1: Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki
12.55 pm – 1.15 pm	Session 2: Dr Sazali Basri
1.15 pm – 1.30 pm	Forum Discussion

In this webinar, the attendees gained a deeper understanding of the current Mpox situation and were equipped with the necessary tools to provide optimal care in their practice.

Watch our recorded live streaming on YouTube: