2022 monkeypox outbreak in Japan

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2022 Monkeypox Outbreak in Japan
250px
Electron micrograph of a monkeypox virion
DiseaseMonkeypox
SourceImported cases
LocationJapan
Index caseJune 2022
Confirmed cases10 (as of December 2022)
Deaths
0


The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in Japan was part of the global 2022 monkeypox outbreak, which saw a significant increase in cases of monkeypox outside of its endemic regions in Africa. The outbreak in Japan began in June 2022, with the first confirmed case reported in Tokyo.

Background[edit | edit source]

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. It is similar to smallpox, but generally less severe. The disease is endemic to certain regions in Central and West Africa. However, in 2022, there was an unprecedented spread of the virus to non-endemic countries, including Japan.

Timeline[edit | edit source]

June 2022[edit | edit source]

The first case of monkeypox in Japan was confirmed on June 25, 2022, in a man who had recently traveled to Europe. The patient was isolated and treated in a hospital in Tokyo. Following this, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued guidelines for the management and prevention of monkeypox.

July 2022[edit | edit source]

By mid-July, additional cases were reported, all linked to international travel. The government increased surveillance and contact tracing efforts to prevent further spread.

August 2022[edit | edit source]

In August, Japan reported its first case of local transmission, indicating that the virus had begun to spread within the community. Public health campaigns were launched to educate the public about the symptoms and prevention of monkeypox.

Public Health Response[edit | edit source]

The Japanese government implemented several measures to control the outbreak, including:

  • Enhanced Surveillance: Monitoring of travelers from affected regions and increased testing capacity.
  • Vaccination: Use of the smallpox vaccine, which is effective against monkeypox, for high-risk groups.
  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Information dissemination through media and public health advisories.

Impact[edit | edit source]

The outbreak had a limited impact on the general population, with only 10 confirmed cases by the end of 2022 and no reported deaths. The swift response by health authorities helped contain the spread of the virus.

Also see[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD