Cambodia has detected three more cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 17 so far, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday.

"Since December 2023 to date, a total of 17 people had been tested positive for mpox. All of them are men, aged between 20 and 43 years old," the ministry said, adding that nearly all of them lived and worked in the capital Phnom Penh.

Currently, five mpox patients remain in hospital for medical treatment, the ministry added.

The ministry also renewed its calls for people to be extra vigilant in order to prevent the cluster or large-scale transmission of the mpox.

It said mpox virus is transmitted from person to person through all forms of sexual contact with a person with mpox and through direct contact with wounds, body fluids, saliva and equipment contaminated with the virus.

"Individuals with symptoms such as rash with blisters on the face, palms, feet, body, eyes, mouth or genitals, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches, low back pain, and fatigue should visit a health center or hospital for a consultation or test for mpox," the ministry said.