Monkeypox disease was first reported in a person who traveled to Nigeria from where he got infected. The person is still under treatment in London, however, the virus spread across different countries.
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What is Monkeypox and What are its Symptoms?
Monkeypox is a viral infection recently spreading in central and west Africa. It is named monkeypox as it was first discovered in monkeys and then transmitted to humans.
The very first case of monkeypox was reported earlier in 1970 in Congo. Since then, there have been small periodic outbreaks of monkeypox, and now it is emerging alarmingly again in 2022.
The common symptoms of this viral infection reported so far include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes.
It appears in the form of rashes on the skin. The lesions may spread to other body areas including the genitals.
How Does Monkeypox Spread?
Unlike COVID-19, Monkeypox is not an airborne disease. According to WHO, It only spreads through close contact with infected individuals. The common mode of infection reported by the experts in respiratory droplets, coughs, broken skin, and body fluids.
There are other routes of transmission such as from mother to fetus via placenta or through close contact during or after birth.
Dr. Van Kerkhove said, ” Transmission is happening from close contact, skin to skin contact, so it is quite different from COVID-19 in that sense”.
Monkeypox Outbreak; Current Situation
Health officials are reporting more than 200 cases of Monkeypox in different countries, especially in Europe and North America. There are quite a large number of cases reported from Australia, Israel, and Switzerland.
According to the Health Experts, the Virus is spreading more among people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women. However, according to WHO, Monkeypox is not as fatal as COVID-19.
“MonkeyPox is not a dangerous disease if a community of people knows about the precautionary measures. Moreover, in case of infection, a patient should be aware of how to stay isolated”, said the scientists.
The disease is spreading alarmingly and there is a need to create awareness among the Public to avoid the spread of the disease to a dangerous level. Isabelle Eckerle, a professor at the Geneva center of imaging Virus diseases in Switzerland says, “if this becomes endemic, we will have another nasty disease and many difficult decisions to take”.
The WHO is thinking of assessing the outbreak as a Potential Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). President Biden said, “It is a concern in the sense that if it were to spread, it would be consequential”.
As far as the treatment is concerned, there is no safe proven treatment yet. So far, the disease is being treated by addressing the symptoms.
Earlier in 1972, the vaccine JYNNEOS was available for the prevention of the monkeypox virus, but then the vaccine was stopped when this disease was eradicated.
However, the scientists of the United States are thinking of launching the same or another vaccine for MonkeyPox.
