Vietnam records second monkeypox case

The 38-year-old woman from Tuyen Quang Province, who traveled to Dubai from September 29 to October 18, has had symptoms like fever, nauseous and blisters since October 11.

This person and the first monkeypox patient in Vietnam (recovered), stayed together in the same accommodation in Dubai. When the first patient acknowledged the similar symptoms of her friend, she informed the HCMC Center of Disease Control (HCDC) for support.

After receiving the information about the potential patient, HCDC and Tan Son Nhat Airport medical team took the woman into quarantine right after she arrived at the airport for testing.

She was then taken to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in HCMC for diagnosis and treatment. The plane that she was on was also disinfected. HCDC will continue to track those who had direct contact with the patient to minimize the risk of spreading. On October 19, the PCR test result showed that the patient was positive for monkeypox.

The first case of monkeypox in Vietnam was a 35-year-old woman who displayed symptoms like fatigue, chills, muscle aches, headaches and coughing, as well as rashes on several body parts from September 18 while she was traveling in Dubai. She was confirmed infected with monkeypox in HCMC after returning on September 22. Viral genome sequencing revealed that she was infected with a monkeypox strain that has circulated throughout many regions of the world since the beginning of this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency over the monkeypox outbreak as infections rose globally, with more than 35,000 cases across 92 countries and territories, and 12 deaths, as of August 15.

Previously, the health ministry said people entering Vietnam from areas with monkeypox outbreaks will be monitored and suspected carriers will be quarantined.