On September 16, Chongqing Municipal Health and Health Commission announced that Chongqing had confirmed 1 case of imported monkeypox. As soon as the news came out, various media reported it one after another, which aroused widespread concern in society.
According to the report of the World Health Organization, as of August 7th, there were 89 countries and regions in the world reporting 278 cases of monkeypox14 cases and death cases1case. As of September 5th, 52,996 cases of monkeypox were reported in 102 countries and regions around the world, with 18 deaths. In less than a month, the number of cases increased by 9 1% and the number of deaths increased by 64%. The overall mortality rate was 0.03%. In the western Pacific where China is located, the number of cases increased from 85 to 159 in the same period, with an increase of 87%, and there was no death. Among them, Australia reported the most cases (78%), followed by Singapore 16 cases (10%) and New Zealand 5 cases (5%). The good news is that the epidemic situation in Europe and America, which accounts for more than 98% of the global monkeypox epidemic, has dropped sharply by the week.
1. Did you miss the net?
The "external prevention and import" measures for epidemic prevention and control in COVID-19 have played an important protective barrier role in preventing the import of monkeypox epidemic. The "first case" of monkeypox reported in Chongqing was found in Chinese mainland during the "7+3" quarantine measures for entry control in COVID-19.
The incubation period of monkeypox is 5-2 1 day, mostly 6- 13 days. COVID-19's "7+3" quarantine measures can intercept most imported cases of monkeypox, but cases with incubation period exceeding 7 days may flow into the society. Chongqing reported the "first case" of monkeypox in Chinese mainland. Are there any cases of missing the net?
According to the spread characteristics of infectious diseases from European and American countries to western Pacific countries or regions, they generally spread to Australia, then to Singapore, Japan, Thailand, then to China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China Taiwan Province Province, and then to Chinese mainland. The process of AIDS transmission in those years was like this, and the reported monkeypox epidemic is similar now. Considering that only Australia, Singapore and New Zealand have reached more than 5 cases in the western Pacific, except for the "first case" of monkeypox reported in Chongqing, the possibility of missing reports of other cases is very small and basically negligible.
Although it may not escape at present, it does not mean that it will not escape in the future. Because the incubation period of monkeypox is mostly 6- 13 days, with the continuous spread of monkeypox epidemic and the increasing number of people entering the country, the possibility that monkeypox infected people will flow into our society after the quarantine observation period of 7 days in COVID-19 will gradually increase. Therefore, it is very necessary and important to strengthen the monitoring and prevention of monkeypox epidemic at the social level.
2. How to identify the symptoms of monkeypox?
According to the patient's clinical manifestations, the initial symptoms of monkeypox infection include fever, headache, muscle soreness, back pain, lymphadenopathy and so on. Then it can develop into a large rash on the face and body. The outbreak of monkeypox mainly occurred in non-traditional epidemic areas, with atypical clinical symptoms and relatively mild illness. Almost all cases have rashes or skin lesions, which are mainly confined to genitals, perineum, perianal region or oral cavity, and usually do not spread further. About half of the cases have symptoms such as fever, pain and swollen lymph nodes.
Most infected people will recover within a few weeks. Severe cases are common in young children, the elderly and people with low immune function. Without timely medical services, they may die.
3. Prevent monkeypox from transmission.
Monkeypox virus is similar to smallpox virus and has cross-immune protection. In other words, people who have been vaccinated against smallpox have a protective effect on preventing monkeypox. 1980, the world health organization announced the global eradication of smallpox, that is, people born before were vaccinated with smallpox vaccine and had certain immunity to monkeypox. People born after that are no longer vaccinated against smallpox and are usually susceptible to monkeypox. Judging from the age structure of the population, people over 42 years old in China, that is, more than half of the total population, are immune to monkeypox. Therefore, it is not necessary for people to be vaccinated universally to prevent monkeypox. Judging from the recent vaccination strategies in Europe and America to control the epidemic situation of monkeypox, strengthening the epidemic detection of key populations and carrying out key vaccination for high-risk populations can achieve the effect of controlling the epidemic situation.
The transmission mode of monkeypox is complicated, including contact with pathological secretions and blood of infected animals. Or infected by bites or scratches from infected animals; In this wave of monkeypox epidemic spreading from Europe and America to the whole world, close contact between people is the most important mode of transmission, including direct skin contact, contact with objects contaminated by patients' secretions or pathological exudates, and so on. Monkeypox can also be spread through towels, bedding, tableware and other items. Although men who have sex with men account for the vast majority of monkeypox cases in Europe and America, this does not mean that they are all infected through sexual contact, and direct contact between body and skin is more likely to cause the spread of monkeypox.
In order to prevent possible monkeypox infection and as a part of our daily healthy lifestyle, it is suggested that: 1) close skin contact with foreigners who may be infected with monkeypox from overseas monkeypox epidemic areas should be avoided in the near future (within three weeks); 2) Don't have close skin contact with the returnees who have recently (within three weeks) transited from or passed through an overseas monkeypox epidemic area and may be infected with monkeypox; 3) Don't have intimate skin contact with strangers; 4) Pay attention to hand hygiene; 5) Use public toilets, including toilets in business hotels. If you use the toilet, use disposable toilet paper as much as possible. If the conditions do not allow, you can also use alcohol wet paper towels or paper towels dipped in hot water to wipe before use.