Monkeypox Outbreak in Vietnam: WHO Declares Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on August 14, 2024, that the monkeypox outbreak is a public health emergency. The PHEIC is worried about mobilizing medical resources on a global and regional scale to better monitor and respond to the emerging dangers.

Monkeypox Outbreak

Monkeypox (MPOX), a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms similar to smallpox but milder, is caused by the orthopoxvirus. There are two distinct clades of the virus: Clade I and Clade II.

Since May 2022, cases and transmission of MPOX have been reported in many countries outside of Africa, where the disease has not previously occurred.

Currently, Clade I, which historically has caused more severe disease, is causing an outbreak in Africa, resulting in over 17,400 cases and 500 deaths. The majority of new cases are the Clade Ia subvariant, with over 80% of cases being children and accounting for 85% of deaths. The second subvariant, Clade Ib, is spreading among adults. Historically, Clade I has had a high fatality rate of 10%, while Clade II has been less than 1%. There is also evidence that Clade I is more virulent, with a fatality rate of 3-5%.

Animal model data and a small epidemiological study have confirmed that Clade I has higher genetic virulence, however, understanding of this variant remains limited. The emergence and increasing multi-faceted evolution of MPOX, particularly with Clade I and the potential for uncontrolled MPOX outbreaks in countries experiencing outbreaks, could lead to further spread. Therefore, WHO has declared a public health emergency to mobilize global and regional public health resources to better monitor and respond to the emerging threats.

Monkeypox Situation in Vietnam

Vietnam reported its first case of MPOX belonging to the Clade I lineage in September 2022. Since then, the country has recorded 202 cases with 8 deaths in 18 provinces and cities. From the beginning of 2024 to the present, 67 cases and 2 deaths have been recorded. In the southern region, in the 2 years 2023-2024, 200 cases (8 deaths) were recorded, of which Ho Chi Minh City had the most (156 cases), followed by Long An (8 cases)...

This shows that MPOX is increasing rapidly in some countries around the world, especially Africa, with more dangerous variants, more easily transmitted in both adults and children, and with higher fatality rates. It is entirely possible that it will enter Vietnam with a higher risk in the future.

After the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic and with the WHO's announcement declaring the outbreak of MPOX as a public health emergency, this will cause many people to fear and worry that they will have to face another virus that can be fatal with a higher death rate than Covid-19.

Vietnam has recorded cases of monkeypox in recent times with an increasing trend. However, the total number of cases is still low and is mainly imported from abroad, quarantined, and treated promptly. No secondary outbreaks in the community have been detected, but only a few sporadic cases.

The Vietnamese health sector has a plan to respond to the epidemic, including: Strengthening surveillance by continuing to closely monitor and analyze the epidemic situation, promptly detecting and handling suspected cases; enhancing testing capacity to ensure rapid and accurate identification of cases early; preparing medical equipment, drugs and medical devices necessary for patient treatment and updating information and guidance for the community on prevention measures, raising awareness of disease prevention in the community; strengthening training and improving the capacity of medical staff on MPOX.

To ensure these solutions, the involvement of local authorities in prevention work is necessary, including strengthening surveillance to detect suspected cases right at the border and developing plans. Preparing and rehearsing prevention scenarios according to different situations and suitable for localities with the participation and support of relevant agencies to strictly implement disease prevention measures; publicizing to the people about disease prevention measures and supporting the health sector in surveillance, treatment and testing... At the same time, people need to follow the situation of the disease as well as avoid contact with the causes of the disease.