HCMC healthy watchdog: Mpox outbreak citywide still under control

After monkeypox (Mpox) was declared a global public health emergency by the WHO, health watchdog in HCMC reported that the Mpox outbreak in the city is still under control through active surveillance activities at border gates and in the community.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health reported that no significant changes in the epidemiology of Mpox (monkeypox) have been observed despite the global concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO recently declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) due to the spread of a new strain in Africa.

According to data from the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, 199 Mpox cases were recorded in southern Vietnam between 2023 and 2024, resulting in eight deaths. Ho Chi Minh City accounted for the majority of these, with 156 cases and six fatalities. Notably, in 2024, the city reported 49 Mpox cases without any deaths.

An epidemiological analysis of cases in Ho Chi Minh City revealed that all cases were male, with an average age of 32, ranging from 18 to 53 years. The largest group affected (46%) were individuals aged 30 to 39. Moreover, 84% of the cases identified as men who have sex with men (MSM), 55% of whom were also living with HIV. Additionally, 7% of the individuals were undergoing pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.

The health department continues to carry out prevention and control measures, including genetic sequencing of certain samples to track any viral evolution. The public is advised to seek immediate medical attention if they or someone they know exhibits symptoms indicative of Mpox for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, and exists in two main clades: clade I and clade II. The disease typically presents with skin rashes or mucosal lesions lasting 2–4 weeks, along with fever, headaches, muscle pain, backaches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Mpox can be spread through direct contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.

Treatment for Mpox is generally supportive. Vaccines and therapeutics developed for smallpox have shown efficacy in treating Mpox under certain circumstances. Preventative measures include avoiding physical contact with infected individuals, and vaccination is recommended for those at higher risk.