Authorities in Changsha and Tianjin confirmed four cases of monkeypox on Friday, bringing the total cumulative cases on the Chinese mainland to 10.
In Changsha, three monkeypox cases were identified on July 5, according to local health authorities. The cases involve three males aged 24, 28, and 38, who are currently receiving treatment in designated hospitals. All three patients are reported to be in stable condition, and epidemiological investigations have been initiated.
Meanwhile, in Tianjin, another monkeypox case was confirmed on Friday. The infected individual is receiving treatment in a designated hospital and is in stable condition, as stated by local officials.
Earlier this week, a monkeypox case was reported in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, making it the sixth case on the Chinese mainland since September 2022.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which can result in a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. The severity of symptoms varies, with most people experiencing a full recovery, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
A global outbreak of monkeypox occurred in May 2022, affecting numerous countries and regions across the world. The outbreak primarily impacted gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, spreading through sexual contact. WHO declared the monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022, and it was declared to have ended in May 2023.
Although there has been a decreasing trend in global monkeypox cases, certain countries and regions, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, have witnessed an increase in reported cases.
In June, the Chinese mainland reported four cases of monkeypox, two from Beijing and two from Guangzhou. Cases were also reported in Sri Lanka, where patients had a travel history to Dubai. Monkeypox was detected earlier this year in Thailand, China’s Taiwan island, Pakistan, and Japan, according to media reports.
While there is concern regarding the spread of monkeypox in China, experts have urged the public to remain calm, as the disease is comparatively easy to detect, control, and treat.
Experts emphasize that monkeypox is mainly transmitted through sexual or intimate contact, with men having sex with other men representing about 95 percent of all cases, according to WHO. Rapid detection kits and effective isolation measures make it relatively easy to control the transmission of monkeypox. Asymptomatic cases of monkeypox are rare, and the risk of infection for the general population is low, according to medical experts.