Brian Jeffrey
Recent reports from Ho Chi Minh City indicate a significant rise in monkeypox (Mpox) cases, with a total of 49 cases recorded in 2024, as disclosed by Nguyen Hong Tam, Director of the HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC) during a press briefing on August 22.
The city is actively implementing stringent public health measures and conducting genetic sequencing on virus samples to monitor any potential changes in the virus strain.
Statistics from the Pasteur Institute in HCM City reveal a total of 199 Mpox cases in the southern region of Vietnam over the past two years, resulting in eight deaths. HCM City has reported 156 cases and six fatalities, making it the most affected area in the region.
Out of the 49 cases documented this year, all patients are male aged between 18 and 53. Notably, 84% of the cases involve individuals self-identifying as part of the men who have sex with men (MSM) community. Furthermore, 55% of those affected are living with HIV, while 7% are receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment for HIV.
As of August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox a global health emergency due to the emergence of a new variant, clade Ib, leading to a surge in cases across Africa.
Despite global concerns, Tam confirmed that the current strain in HCMC remains clade IIb, which has been responsible for outbreaks worldwide, primarily affecting the MSM community or individuals engaging in risky sexual behaviors.
Health authorities in HCM City are actively monitoring border entry points and the community to contain the spread of the disease. Fortunately, no cases of the more virulent clade Ib strain have been detected in the city so far.
Residents are advised to promptly seek medical assistance if they or others exhibit monkeypox symptoms, with safe sex practices being emphasized as the most effective preventive measure.
Monkeypox is described by the WHO as a viral zoonotic disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans, as well as among humans. The disease presents with various symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, necessitating medical attention in certain cases.
Common symptoms include fever, intense headaches, muscle pain, backache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash lasting 2-3 weeks. The rash typically appears on the face, palms, soles, eyes, mouth, throat, groin, and genital or perianal regions, eventually developing into blisters.
Bach Duong
