Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease. It was first identified in 1958 in Denmark when it was discovered in a monkey, which is why the disease is named “monkeypox.” The World Health Organization is considering changing this name because it may lead to the misconception that monkeys are responsible for the disease, which is not accurate. The disease primarily emerged in 1970 and has been prevalent in 11 countries in Central and West Africa. Previously, outbreaks have also been reported in Europe, North America, Singapore, and other regions. However, in those cases, the affected individuals had a history of travel to African countries or contact with imported animals from those regions.
Since May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australia, where the patients had neither traveled to Central or West Africa nor had contact with animals from those areas. The disease can also spread through close physical contact or sexual relations with an infected person. In countries where outbreaks were previously unknown, the current cases are predominantly found among men, particularly gay men. Typically, a person does not get infected with monkeypox more than once. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research has facilities for testing for this disease.
This situation is causing concern among public health scientists. Some experts believe that monkeypox might have been present in these countries (Europe, North America) before, but for some unknown reason, it has suddenly spread rapidly. The World Health Organization has classified the monkeypox outbreak as a moderate global risk.
The scientific name of the monkeypox virus is Orthopoxvirus. This genus of viruses includes smallpox and cowpox, which is why monkeypox shares similarities with smallpox. Additionally, there are two clades or subtypes of the monkeypox virus. One is the Central African clade, where the mortality rate can be up to 10%. The other is the West African clade, where mortality has been less severe. The incubation period for monkeypox typically ranges from 6 to 13 days, but it can be as short as 5 days and as long as 21 days.
Common Symptoms of Monkeypox
The common symptoms of monkeypox include fever (temperature above 38°C), severe headache, swollen and painful lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) in various parts of the body, muscle aches, fatigue, and a rash that starts on the face and progressively spreads to the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and other parts of the body (usually within 3 days of the fever). These symptoms generally last for 2 to 4 weeks. The virus does not spread from a person who is not showing symptoms. Transmission can occur from the appearance of the rash (vesicles, pustules) until the rash scabs (crusts) have fallen off. In most cases, the symptoms resolve on their own.
Ways to Protect Yourself from Monkeypox:
1. Avoid direct contact with infected individuals.
2. Both the infected person and the caregiver should wear masks.
3. Wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds.
4. Disinfect items used by the infected person with soap, disinfectant, or detergent.
5. Maintain a safe distance from infected wild animals or natural hosts (such as rodents, squirrels, and rabbits). However, the disease is generally not spread by domesticated animals (such as cattle, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and buffalo).
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