Two cases of monkeypox found in Beijing! How to treat and prevent it? Latest tips from CDC →

According to Beijing Daily, Beijing medical institutions recently reported two cases of monkeypox virus infection, one of which was an imported case from abroad, and the other was an associated case of an imported case from abroad. Both cases were infected through close contact.

After the cases were discovered, the city and district health and disease control departments quickly carried out epidemiological investigation and tracing, medical treatment, etc. Currently, the two cases are being isolated and treated in designated hospitals and their condition is stable.

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention issues health tips

Monkeypox is a zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus. In the past, monkeypox was mainly prevalent in Central and West Africa. Currently, monkeypox cases have been found in 111 countries and regions around the world, and human-to-human transmission is mainly among men who have sex with men. After research and judgment, the World Health Organization announced on May 11, 2023 that the monkeypox epidemic no longer constitutes an "international public health emergency." At present, the risk of monkeypox infection to the public is low. It is recommended to actively learn about monkeypox prevention knowledge and take good health protection.

Previously, the National Health Commission and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine jointly formulated and issued the "Monkeypox Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (2022 Edition)", which pointed out that the virus invades the human body through mucous membranes and broken skin. People are mainly infected through contact with exudates, blood, and other body fluids of infected animals, or bites and scratches from infected animals. It is mainly transmitted between people through close contact, but can also be transmitted through droplets, contact with objects contaminated by the virus, and vertical transmission through the placenta. Sexual transmission cannot be ruled out.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

According to the guidelines, chills and fever occur in the early stage of the disease, with body temperature mostly above 38.5°C, and may be accompanied by headache, drowsiness, fatigue, back pain and myalgia. Most patients experience swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin and other parts. Rash appears 1 to 3 days after onset. It takes about 2 to 4 weeks from onset to scab shedding. Some patients may develop complications, including secondary bacterial infection at the site of skin lesions, bronchopneumonia, encephalitis, corneal infection, sepsis, etc.

What is the treatment for monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a self-limiting disease with a generally good prognosis. Severe cases occur more often in young children and people with compromised immune systems, and the prognosis depends on the clade of the virus that infects, the degree of exposure to the virus, previous health conditions, and the severity of complications. People who have previously received the smallpox vaccine have a certain degree of cross-protection against the monkeypox virus.

There is no specific anti-monkeypox virus drug in China. Treatment is mainly symptomatic supportive treatment and treatment of complications. In most cases, monkeypox symptoms disappear on their own within 2-4 weeks.

Prevention of Monkeypox

Avoid close contact with people who have monkeypox. Sexual contact, especially between men and women, carries a higher risk.

Avoid direct contact with wild animals in high-incidence countries. Avoid capturing, killing, and eating raw local animals. Develop good hygiene habits. Clean and disinfect frequently and keep your hands clean.

Comprehensive sources: Beijing Daily, People's Daily Online, etc.