Beijing reports two monkeypox cases

(ECNS) -- Two cases of monkeypox have been detected in Beijing, with one imported case and the other a close contact of the imported case. Both are in stable condition and receiving treatment at a designated hospital.

Epidemiological investigations and source tracing have been carried out by Beijing health and disease control authorities.

The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention  said currently there is a low risk of public infection with monkeypox. It informed the public of the clinical symptoms, treatment and prevention methods.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover within a few weeks, but some get very sick.

Over 100 countries and regions in the world have reported monkeypox cases since the WHO determined that multi-country outbreak of monkeypox is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022.

On May 11, 2023, the WHO declared that it is no longer a PHEIC, but warning the public that the virus is still around and further waves and outbreaks could continue so that people still need to respond to it positively.

Beijing CDC said the public should avoid close contact, with infected cases or with wildlife in high-risk countries. Sexual contact, especially male-male, has a higher risk. Good hygiene habits are also necessary, it added.