The C1 gene of Clade II was found in 25-year-old male patient, from Đồng Nai Province. He is the first domestic monkeypox case discovered in HCM City. — Photo suckhoedoisong.vn

HCM CITY — The DNA sequence of the monkeypox virus from the first case identified in HCM City belongs to the C1 gene of Clade II, the city Health Department reported.

The monkeypox strain in this case is different from the A.2.1 gene type of the virus detected in the two cases that entered Việt Nam from Dubai in October 2022.

However, this gene type is similar to the strains of monkeypox virus recently discovered in Japan, Portugal, and South Korea.

The C1 gene of Clade II was found in a 25-year-old male patient from Đồng Nai Province. He is the first domestic monkeypox case discovered in HCM City. 

He was sent to the City Hospital for Tropical Diseases with suspected symptoms of monkeypox on 22 September. 

The gene sequencing results show genetic diversity in the monkeypox virus, according to the Health Department.

Further analysis of the gene set in new cases helps understand the origin and circulation of the virus, providing valuable and timely information for the monkeypox prevention and control programme in the city.

Previously, from 22 to 29 September, the city recorded two cases of monkeypox. These cases had no travel history or contact with foreigners.

The City Health Department said these are domestic cases, suggesting that the monkeypox virus may be circulating within the community. — VNS