All you need to know about monkeypox symptoms, prevention and virus

Health experts have often pointed out that it is similar to disease smallpox and smallpox, The disease was first detected in 1958 when there was an outbreak of smallpox in colonies of monkeys kept for testing. It was at the time that the disease was referred to as “monkeypox”, as reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Monkeypox was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970.

Till Sunday, four cases of monkeypox were reported in India and the fourth case was reported from the national capital Delhi. Three other cases were reported from Kerala.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although with less clinical severity. The virus is a part of the family of variola viruses, belonging to the genus Orthopoxvirus, the viruses that result in smallpox.

types of monkeypox

Congo strain and West African strain are two types of monkeypox. The Congo strain is more lethal than the West African strain. While the Congo strain has a mortality rate of 10%, the West African strain has a lower mortality rate of 1%.

How is monkeypox spread?

This monkeypox virus can be passed on to humans if they have a monkeypox Coming into contact with an infected animal or the blood, body fluids or fur of an infected animal. This infection can also be spread by eating the meat of a diseased animal without cooking it properly.

The disease can be spread to humans through contact with clothing, bedding or towels used by an infected person, which causes rashes, blisters or crusts on the skin. Cough and sneeze droplets from an infected person can also become contaminated.

The virus is also suspected to be sexually transmitted, as reported by experts. However, this virus is not so contagious in humans. It can also be spread through the respiratory secretions of a diseased person, through direct contact with that person or through intimate activities such as kissing, hugging or having sex.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

Monkeypox virus has a latency period of 21 days, after which symptoms begin to appear. The symptoms of monkeypox are mild compared to the symptoms of smallpox.

Some symptoms of monkeypox virus

fever

Headache

muscle pain

Exhaustion

swollen lymph nodes

Later people get skin rashes which often start appearing on their face and then spread to other parts of the body. The rash continues to spread until they become a scab and stop. This disease Lasts for a period of two to four weeks.

monkeypox in animals

The symptoms of this disease are very similar to the symptoms of smallpox. Apart from monkeys, squirrels, Gambian pouched rats and dormice have also been found in this infection. Most tropical African rainforests are colonized by animals that are prone to the disease. However, the spread of monkeypox to other parts of the world is causing havoc.

How to prevent from monkeypox?

A monkeypox patient should:

seek medical help

cover their face with a mask

avoid closeness with other people

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised people to stay away from colonies where monkeypox-infected animals live. It is also strictly prohibited to come into contact with substances such as sick animal bedding. Isolation is recommended for patients infected with monkeypox.

If someone has been in contact with an infected patient or animal, they should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. It is essential for healthcare professionals and caregivers to wear a PPE kit while treating a patient.

What is the treatment for monkeypox?

No specific treatment has been discovered for monkeypox virus. Patients are medically advised to self-isolate in the hospital so that the disease does not spread and gets better if symptoms recur. Smallpox vaccines used in the US for monkeypox patients are 85% effective. Antivirals and vaccinia immune globulin have also been shown to be curable for patients with monkeypox.

Is moneypox fatal?

As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), places such as Central Africa have inadequate health facilities, with 1 in 10 infected people dying if they contract the virus. However, in most cases patients recover within two to four weeks.

How many cases of monkeypox are there in the world?

Globally, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been detected, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency.

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