The Ministry of Health orders strict monitoring and detection of suspected monkeypox cases. — (Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn)

Checks will be enhanced for those coming from several African countries. Monkeypox, a disease first detected in monkeys in 1958, recorded its first human case in 1970 in Congo.

As of Wednesday, 158 cases of monkeypox and more than 100 suspected cases were detected in 19 countries, according to the WHO. No casualties have been reported. 

Monkeypox can be spread from person to person through close contact, through wounds, bodily fluids, droplets, and contact with contaminated objects such as blankets and pillows. The disease is often severe in children, pregnant women or immunocompromised people. 

Monkeypox has symptoms similar to smallpox, but differs in its systemic skin lesions and enlarged lymph nodes.