According to the figures, all of the cases were spread across several provinces and cities, including Ho Chi Minh City with 46 cases, Lam Dong with two cases, Long An with two cases, Binh Duong with one case, Dong Nai with one case, and Tay Ninh with one case.

Most notably, among them was one death due to immunosuppression. The General Department of Preventive Medicine revealed that the median age of monkeypox patients is 32, with 92.9% being men.

About 63% of monkeypox patients are also living with HIV, while 46% of the cases were suffering from other sexually transmitted diseases.

The department warned that this is a new epidemic recorded in the country amid several community transmission cases being recorded.

Considering these factors, it is likely that the country will record more new cases, especially in major cities, besides Ho Chi Minh City. The Ministry of Health has classified monkeypox in the list of group B infectious diseases.

The disease is transmitted between people through close contact with an infected person. Suspected symptoms of the disease include the sudden appearance of acute rashes in the form of fluid-filled or pus-filled blisters without an obvious cause. Once the disease is confirmed, patients should strictly adhere to healthcare professionals' guidance in care and treatment to minimise complications and follow infection prevention measures.

Most patients will recover after 10 to 14 days and stop spreading the disease after 21 days. However, the disease can cause serious complications, or even be life-threatening for immunocompromised people like those infected with AIDS, cirrhosis, or diabetes.

Source: VOV