Epidemiological investigation and management of the first monkeypox cluster outbreak in Wuhan / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To describe the epidemiological characteristics, investigation and treatment process of the first monkeypox cluster outbreak in Wuhan, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of monkeypox cluster outbreak in the future. Methods Field epidemiological investigation was conducted on the cases, and throat swabs, anal swabs, shingles fluid, whole blood, and serum samples were collected from the cases. Subsequently, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed for the detection of monkeypox virus nucleic acid and subsequent gene sequencing. Results Two cases had a high-risk exposure behavior in a hotel in Wuhan on June 2, 2023. The first case exhibited the emergence of beige papules on June 5 and sought medical treatment at a tertiary hospital in Wuhan on June 11. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted tests on herpes fluid samples, which yielded positive results for the presence of monkeypox virus nucleic acid. Genetic sequencing analysis revealed that the infecting strain of the monkeypox virus in this case belonged to the West African clade B.1. Conclusion Based on epidemiological investigation and laboratory results, this monkeypox cluster outbreak may be caused by latent men with men sexual transmission. Monkeypox has the risk of both overseas importation and local transmission in our country. It is very necessary to detect, report and deal with monkeypox outbreak early.