Monkeypox, also known as mpox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. This virus is a double-stranded DNA virus that is closely related to the variola virus, which causes smallpox.
Overview of Monkeypox
Origins and Transmission
Monkeypox was first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, and the first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The disease is primarily endemic to tropical rainforest regions of central and west Africa but has seen a significant increase in cases globally since 2022.
Transmission occurs through:
Human-to-Human Contact: This includes direct contact with skin lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory droplets from an infected person. Close physical interactions, such as kissing or sexual contact, can facilitate spread.
Animal-to-Human Contact: People can become infected through bites or scratches from infected animals, or by handling or consuming bushmeat from infected animals.
Contaminated Materials: The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated materials like bedding, clothing, or medical equipment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of monkeypox typically appear 6 to 13 days after exposure and can be divided into two phases:
Initial Phase: This includes fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and exhaustion. Swollen lymph nodes are a distinguishing feature of monkeypox compared to other pox diseases.
Rash Phase: A rash develops, usually starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash progresses from flat lesions to raised bumps, and eventually to pustules that can crust over and fall off. This phase can last 2 to 4 weeks.
Severity and Complications
Most cases of monkeypox are mild, with a mortality rate ranging from 0% to 11%, depending on the clade of the virus, with the majority of deaths occurring in children or immunocompromised individuals. Severe complications can include secondary infections, pneumonia, and vision loss due to eye infections.
Prevention and Treatment
Vaccination against smallpox has been shown to reduce the likelihood of contracting monkeypox by about 85%. New vaccines specifically for monkeypox are also being developed.
Treatment primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms, as most patients recover without specific antiviral treatment. However, antiviral medications such as tecovirimat may be used in severe cases.
Current Situation
Following an unprecedented global outbreak that began in May 2022, monkeypox has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. Awareness and education efforts are ongoing to manage and control its spread.
In summary, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis that can be transmitted between humans and animals, presenting with symptoms similar to smallpox but generally less severe. Understanding its transmission, symptoms, and prevention strategies is crucial in managing this disease effectively.
Citations:
[1] https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/article/detail/monkeypox-Symptoms-Preventions
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1093763/full
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10205168/
[4] https://africacdc.org/disease/monkeypox/
[5] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
[6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/expert-answers/monkeypox-faq/faq-20533608
[7] https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/symptoms/index.html