Vietnam to screen monkeypox at borders

There has been an unusual surge in monkeypox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the past two months, with the country reporting approximately 15,600 cases, with 537 fatalities.

Neighboring countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda are also reporting their first cases of monkeypox. The outbreak has extended beyond Africa, with cases emerging in Sweden and Pakistan, both linked to the African continent.

In light of these developments, the WHO on Monday classified the situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), aiming to curb the further spread of the disease.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has responded by urging strict surveillance at border crossings and healthcare facilities nationwide. The ministry is also working on various contingency plans to address potential outbreaks.

Monkeypox is a viral illness transmitted through close contact. It presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled blisters. While the majority of cases are mild, the disease can cause severe complications, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Globally, between 2021 and 2023, over 92,000 monkeypox cases have been reported, resulting in 167 deaths. The majority of infections have occurred among men who have sex with men and individuals with multiple sexual partners.

Although vaccines are available in developed nations, many low-income countries struggle to secure adequate vaccine supplies, complicating efforts to eradicate the disease.

Vietnam reported its first monkeypox case in October 2022. Since then, the health ministry has recorded over 68 cases, including six fatalities, most of whom had a history of HIV.