Nghe An: High risk of monkeypox invasion

Nghe An Newspaper reporter had an interview with Master, Doctor Nguyen Trong Di - Deputy Head of the Department of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control.

Monkeypox virus under an electron microscope. Photo: Science Photo Library.png

PV: Could you please tell us more about monkeypox - the disease that has caused the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency?

Doctor Nguyen Trong Di:Monkeypoxis an acute infectious disease, capable of causing epidemics, caused by the monkeypox virus. The disease originated in Africa, transmitted from animals to humans and from person to person through direct contact with skin lesions, body fluids, through sexual intercourse, respiratory droplets, objects of infected people and from mother to child.

The main symptoms of the disease are fever, blister-like rash and peripheral lymphadenopathy, which can cause serious complications leading to death. On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency for monkeypox. Monkeypox has now been recorded in over 106 countries outside the endemic area (Africa). At this time, Vietnam recorded its first case of monkeypox in Ho Chi Minh City. The case was a woman returning from abroad.

Suspected cases of monkeypox are cases with one or more of the following epidemiological factors: Within 21 days before the onset of symptoms, there was contact with a confirmed case or a possible case, through direct physical contact with the skin or skin lesions (including sexual intercourse), or contact with contaminated objects such as clothes, bedding, personal belongings of the patient; a history of travel to countries where monkeypox is endemic within 21 days before the onset of symptoms; clinical illness suspected of monkeypox... To identify a case, a positive molecular biological test for smallpox virus is required.

PV: Can you tell us more about the ways monkeypox spreads?

Doctor Nguyen Trong Di:As mentioned, monkeypox can be spread through the following routes:

Transmission of monkeypox. Graphics: vnexpress.net

Direct transmission from person to person:The virus is transmitted directly from person to person when two people are in close contact for a long period of time. The monkeypox virus can be transmitted through droplets when a person sneezes, coughs or talks.

Transmission through contaminated objects:The answer to the question of how monkeypox is transmitted also comes from contact with contaminated clothing or bedding. However, the risk of contracting the disease from this reason is usually rare.

Zoonotic transmission:Manifested through contact with body fluids from respiratory droplets.

However, the above sources of infection are only small-scale. The main cause of the spread of monkeypox isgay sex. Currently, according to statistics from the World Health Organization, the number of monkeypox cases is mainly men (accounting for 98%), including many cases in the group of men who have sex with men. This can be understood, monkeypox virus is transmitted through close contact and is found in semen, so sexual intercourse in general and homosexual sex in men can be a way of transmitting the disease.

Homosexual intercourse between men (through anus) is often considered rougher, more likely to cause skin damage, making it easier for the monkeypox virus to spread. This may explain why this group of people is becoming the focus of the current epidemic.

PV: With the above transmission routes, how do you assess the risk of monkeypox spreading to Nghe An?

Doctor Nguyen Trong Di:Because Nghe An is a densely populated locality, many people go to work far away from other provinces and countries. Moreover, Nghe An is also a province with a diverse transportation system, international border gates, sea routes, international airports... Therefore, Nghe An determines that the risk of infectious diseases in general, and monkeypox in particular, entering Nghe An province is very high.

To prevent monkey pox in particular and infectious diseases in general, Nghe An has activated a strict monitoring system at all seaports, airports, and border gates. When a suspected case is recorded, the epidemic will be responded to as a confirmed case to control monkey pox from entering the area.

Ministry of Health's recommendations on monkeypox prevention. Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn

PV: To prevent monkeypox, what measures should people take?

Doctor Nguyen Trong Di:To prevent monkeypox infection, people need to come into contact with people/animals that may be infected (including sick or dead animals in areas where monkeypox occurs); avoid contact with objects and surfaces that are at risk of being infected with monkeypox virus such as bed sheets and clothes of sick people; regularly wash hands with soap and common antiseptic solutions after contact with people/animals suspected of being infected; conduct an exposure risk assessment according to regulations to have appropriate treatment measures... People can specifically prevent the disease bymonkeypox vaccine.

At treatment facilities, prevention of monkeypox infection must be strictly implemented. Specifically, it is necessary to strictly isolate suspected, possible and confirmed cases; comply with infection control measures, infection prevention for medical staff, caregivers and other patients at treatment facilities according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health.

PV: Thank you!