2 cases of monkeypox in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong, many people in close contact

According to information from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), the unit has received information about a patient diagnosed with monkeypox residing in Ho Chi Minh City. A person in close contact with this patient has also been confirmed to have monkeypox.

Illustration of a patient with monkeypox - Source: CDC Dong Nai

Accordingly, on September 22, a 25-year-old male patient, residing in Xuan Truong commune, Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province, came to the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital for examination with signs of suspected monkeypox.

The hospital took samples and sent them to the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City. A day later, the test results at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City showed that the patient was positive for monkeypox virus. The patient is being isolated and treated.

After being diagnosed with the disease, the patient added that he was temporarily residing in Ho Chi Minh City. After receiving the above information, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control launched an epidemiological investigation and isolated the area for treatment.

According to epidemiological investigation, the patient stayed in Ho Chi Minh City. HCDC has investigated the patient's travel history and made a list of 8 people who had close contact with the patient. Among these 8 people, 1 is a friend of the patient who currently resides in Binh Duong province. This person has tested positive for monkeypox.

Close contacts residing in the city have been instructed to self-monitor their health at home for 21 days. Instructions have been given to clean and disinfect the entire boarding house and personal belongings of the patient. These close contacts are currently stable and have no unusual symptoms.

During the 3 weeks before the onset of symptoms, the patient was only in Vietnam. Currently, HCDC medical staff are continuing to investigate and monitor the health of the patient and those in contact.

To proactively prevent monkeypox, people need to take the following preventive measures:

- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Do not spit in public places.

- Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer.

- People with symptoms of acute rash of unknown cause accompanied by one or more suspicious symptoms should proactively contact a medical facility for timely monitoring and consultation. At the same time, proactively self-isolate and avoid sexual intercourse.

- Avoid close contact with people with monkeypox, avoid direct contact with wounds, body fluids, droplets and objects and utensils contaminated with the pathogen. In case there is someone in your residence/workplace who is infected or suspected of being infected, you need to notify the health authority for timely advice and treatment, do not self-treat.

- People traveling to countries where monkeypox is endemic (Central and West Africa) should avoid contact with mammals (dead or alive) such as rodents, marsupials, and primates that may contain monkeypox virus. When returning to Vietnam, they should proactively report to local health authorities for advice.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/2-ca-mac-benh-dau-mua-khi-o-tp-hcm-va-binh-duong-nhieu-nguoi-tiep-xuc-gan-post266174.html