Health Ministry Issues Monkeypox Monitoring Guidance

According to VNA, the Ministry of Health on August 22 issued temporary guidelines for monitoring and preventing monkeypox amid complicated developments of the disease.

Accordingly, people have their temperatures checked at border gates to detect cases of monkeypox. Monitoring measures at border gates also include supervising medical quarantine officers.

People with suspected symptoms should be placed into temporary isolation for further testing, and transferred to medical facilities for treatment where necessary or self-monitor their health over 21 days from the date of entry.

People who enter Vietnam from countries or regions with cases of the disease are also required to self-monitor for 21 days, and those displaying symptoms such as a rash, headache, fever, chills, sore throat, malaise, fatigue or swollen lymph nodes should attend a medical facility immediately.

Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn.

The ministry also requested increased surveillance in the community and at health facilities to detect suspected cases. Previously, the Ministry of Health asked localities nationwide to monitor foreign arrivals from countries where monkeypox has been reported.

To prevent monkeypox from spreading, it is recommended to avoid close contact with people who have or are suspected of having the disease; and frequently wash hands with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer, among other measures.

As of August 15, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recorded over 35,000 monkeypox cases in 92 countries and territories, including those close to Vietnam such as Thailand, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan. Twelve people have died. Typical symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, muscle pain, skin lesions, and rashes. It is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids or lesions. Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.

As of August 21, Vietnam had not recorded any cases of monkeypox. However, as baobinhthuan.com reported, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son underlined the need to make careful preparations for responding to monkeypox, saying that although no cases of monkeypox had been recorded in Vietnam, the risk of this disease entering the country was very high.

Monkeypox lesion-Shutterstock (Photo: VNA)

Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

According to CDC’s guidance, anyone with exposure to people or animals with monkeypox should monitor their health or be monitored for signs or symptoms consistent with monkeypox for 21 days after their last exposure. Information about the human-to-human transmission of monkeypox virus is described in.

Monitoring should include assessing the person for signs and symptoms of monkeypox, including a thorough skin and mouth (oral) exam in good lighting. Skin examination can be performed by the person in isolation, a caregiver, or a healthcare provider and should include an examination of the genitals and anus for rash or lesions.