This undated file image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) shows a colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox (monkeypox) particles (red) found within an infected cell (blue), cultured in the laboratory that was captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility in Fort Detrick, Maryland, US. (PHOTO / NIAID VIA AP)

BEIJING - China is redoubling its efforts to prevent the spread of the mpox disease, as a growing number of cases have been reported in certain parts of Asia and a few cases were found in Chinese cities including Beijing and Guangzhou, a health official said Tuesday.

In a bid to detect patients as early as possible, the country has been building a mpox monitoring and early warning system, with a particular focus on the protection of key groups, said Shi Guoqing, an official with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Efforts have been made in areas such as health monitoring of inbound travelers, epidemiological investigation for suspected cases, sample collection and laboratory testing, among others, according to Shi.

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The mpox disease no longer represents a global health emergency, but the threat of its resurgence remains, the World Health Organization said last month.