First case in Asia! A new monkeypox variant has emerged, which can be transmitted by droplets! Do we need to be vigilant? How to prevent and control it?

Recently, the Thai Ministry of Public Health held a press conference to confirm the country's first case of monkeypox Ib variant. This is the second case of Ib variant in the world and the first case in Asia after the World Health Organization sounded the global public health alert for the monkeypox epidemic.

Unlike previous monkeypox viruses that were mainly transmitted through direct contact or sexual contact, the type Ib variant virus discovered this time can also be transmitted through secretions (such as respiratory droplets), rashes or contaminated objects.

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According to a report on the BBC website on the 21st, there are currently three strains of monkeypox virus coexisting, namely "branch Ia", "branch Ib" and "branch II", of which "branch Ib" is the most worrying. This new strain is a variant of the monkeypox virus "branch I" and looks very different from "branch Ia".

On August 14, the World Health Organization announced that the monkeypox epidemic constituted an " international public health emergency ", saying that the new strain of monkeypox virus "branch Ib" appeared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year and spread rapidly, and has spread to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, which have never reported cases of monkeypox.

The last time WHO issued this highest level of alert for the monkeypox outbreak was in July 2022, which was lifted in May 2023. The main strain that caused the monkeypox outbreak from 2022 to 2023 was the "branch II" strain.

On August 15, a child infected with monkeypox virus showed skin symptoms at a hospital in Nyiragongo area near Goma, capital of North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Image source: Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Zanan)

The General Administration of Customs also recently issued an announcement on preventing the spread of monkeypox into my country, reminding people from countries (regions) where monkeypox has occurred that if they have been in contact with monkeypox cases or have symptoms such as fever, headache, back pain, myalgia, etc., they should actively report to customs upon entry.

What is monkeypox? Should we be wary?

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis. In 1958, scientists first discovered the virus in a group of monkeys used for research in Denmark, when they developed a "pox-like" infectious disease, hence the name monkeypox virus. In 1970, the first human case of monkeypox virus infection was discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and since then the virus has been prevalent mainly in West and Central Africa.

The host of the monkeypox virus is still unclear, but it is currently believed that African rodents (African squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian kangaroos, dormice, etc.) may be its natural hosts. The source of infection includes monkeypox cases and infected rodents, monkeys, apes and other primates.

Monkeypox virus invades the human body mainly through mucous membranes and broken skin. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact with the diseased skin or mucous membranes of cases. It can also be transmitted by contact with objects contaminated with the virus, inhalation of respiratory droplets from cases at close range for a long time, contact with respiratory secretions, disease exudates, blood and other body fluids of infected animals, or infection by bites or scratches of infected animals.

The initial symptoms of monkeypox in humans include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes, which can then develop into a large rash on the face and body. According to the "Monkeypox Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (2022 Edition)" organized and formulated by the National Health Commission and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, monkeypox is a self-limiting disease and most people have a good prognosis. Severe cases are common in young children and immunocompromised people, and the prognosis is related to the infected virus branch, the degree of virus exposure, previous health conditions, and the severity of complications. In addition, although the general population is susceptible, people who have been vaccinated with smallpox vaccine in the past have a certain degree of cross-protection against monkeypox virus.

Starting from September 20, 2023, my country will include monkeypox in its management as a Class B infectious disease.

How to prevent and control?

What are the key points that people entering and leaving the country should pay attention to?

People going abroad should pay attention to information on monkeypox epidemics in destination countries and regions, and avoid contact with people with monkeypox-like symptoms or animals such as rodents and primates. People from countries and regions where monkeypox epidemics have been reported, if they have a history of suspected contact abroad, should monitor their health within 21 days after entry, avoid close contact with others, and if they develop monkeypox-like symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, they should seek medical attention and truthfully report their epidemiological history.

How can the public prevent it?

Wash your hands frequently and pay attention to personal hygiene . It is recommended to clean your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid sexual intercourse with people whose health conditions are unknown. If you engage in high-risk behavior, you should monitor your health for 21 days and avoid close contact with others. If you develop symptoms such as rash, herpes, or fever, you should seek medical attention in a timely manner and inform your doctor of your history of behavior.

If your family or friends are diagnosed with monkeypox, you should pay attention to personal protection, avoid close contact with the patient , avoid contact with clothes, bedding, towels and other daily necessities used by the patient, and avoid sharing the bathroom.

Comprehensive sources: Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, etc.