The Hanoi Department of Health has asked the city's Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to coordinate with Noi Bai International Airport and relevant units to increase monitoring to promptly detect suspected monkeypox cases at the airport and border gates, especially those returning from countries where the disease is currently spreading.

Hanoi CDC has been requested to closely monitor the developments of monkeypox in the world and Vietnam to timely provide advice to the Department of Health in directing relevant units to implement appropriate measures for disease prevention and control.

The centre will be also responsible for coordinating with health centres in districts and Son Tay township to monitor gynecological and dermatological examination and treatment establishments, ARV and Methadone treatment facilities, aiming to promptly identify suspected or confirmed monkeypox cases, thus thoroughly handling them to prevent the disease from spreading to the community.

Hanoi CDC will collaborate with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases to collect samples for diagnostic testing for suspected cases; and proactively retrain and update health centres and related units on monitoring guidelines and skills for collecting samples for diagnostic testing of pathogens.

It has been instructed to provide accurate, comprehensive, and timely information to the media and relevant agencies, raise public awareness about monkeypox and prevention measures as recommended by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, it is tasked with ensuring an adequate supply of materials, chemicals, and equipment for disease prevention and control, and staying ready to implement necessary measures and provide support to lower-level health units when required.

Relevant units have been demanded to proactively prepare medicines, equipment and personnel, and establish clear protocols for patient triage, intake, emergency care, and treatment to prevent cross-infection and minimise fatalities; and properly manage medical waste to prevent the spread of pathogens to the community./. VNA