China discovers new monkeypox variant, warns of risk of spread

(CLO) On January 9, Chinese health authorities announced the discovery of a new variant of the monkeypox virus, called Ib, as the disease continues to spread widely after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global public health emergency last year.

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new outbreak originated from a foreigner with a history of travel and residence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Four other cases have been reported in close contacts of the first case. The patients showed mild symptoms, including skin rashes and blisters.

Illustration: iStock

The monkeypox virus is transmitted through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions. Although usually mild, the disease can be fatal in rare cases.

WHO first declared monkeypox a global health emergency in August last year, after an outbreak in the DRC spread to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

The Ib strain of the virus, a variant of clade I endemic in the DRC, is thought to be more easily transmitted through close contact, including through sexual contact.

China has recorded the spread of this variant from the DRC to many regions, prompting the country to increase surveillance of people and goods entering the country to prevent the risk of an outbreak.

China's National Health Commission has classified monkeypox as a Class B infectious disease, allowing for emergency control measures such as restricting mass gatherings, suspending school and workplace activities, and locking down affected areas.

Ngoc Anh (according to WHO, Reuters, Bloomberg)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trung-quoc-phat-hien-bien-the-dau-mua-khi-moi-canh-bao-nguy-co-lay-lan-post329710.html