Monkeypox
Monkey-pox is a rare viral disease caused by the monkey-pox virus. It is similar to smallpox, but generally less severe. The disease is primarily found in central and west African countries, and is transmitted to humans from animals, including rodents and primates. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. A rash then develops, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. The disease can be severe, but fatality rates are generally low. There is no specific treatment for monkey-pox, and the smallpox vaccine is not effective against it.
Monkeypox and WHO
Monkey-pox is a rare viral disease that is similar to smallpox, but generally less severe. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), monkey-pox is found primarily in remote parts of Central and West Africa, near tropical rain forests. The disease is primarily spread through contact with the animals, such as monkeys, rats, and squirrels, that carry the virus. It can also be spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids or infected skin of an infected person, or through the air in close quarters. The symptoms of monkey-pox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. In severe cases, the disease can lead to severe skin eruptions, pneumonia, and even death. The WHO recommends that people living in or travelling to areas where monkey-pox is known to occur take precautions to avoid contact with animals and people that may be infected, and to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for monkey-pox, and most people recover on their own with supportive care.
Symptoms of Monkeypox -
The symptoms of monkey-pox are similar to those of smallpox and include:
-Fever
-Headache
-Muscle aches
-Backache
-Swollen lymph nodes
-Chills
-Exhaustion
Additional symptoms can include:
-Abdominal pain
-Chest pain
-Bump
-Vomiting
-Rash
The rash typically begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body and changes and forms a scab before finally falling off. The symptoms usually appear within 5 to 21 days after exposure to the virus, and can range from mild to severe.
Causes of Monkeypox -
Monkey-pox is caused by the monkey-pox virus, which is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus of viruses, which also includes the smallpox virus. The monkey-pox virus is primarily found in Central and West Africa and is transmitted to humans from animals, primarily rodents, but also non-human primates (monkeys and apes) or other mammals.
It is primarily transmitted to people through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals, or through inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected animal.
Humans can also be infected through contact with materials, such as bedding, that have been contaminated with the virus.
Human-to-human transmission of the virus can also occur through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected persons, or through inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person.
Precautions to prevent monkey-pox
Avoiding contact with wild animals and animals that are sick or have died from an unknown cause.
Washing your hands frequently, especially after handling animals or their products.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick with monkeypox.
Wearing gloves and a mask when caring for someone who is sick with monkeypox.
Cleaning and disinfecting any surfaces or objects that may be contaminated with the virus.
Avoiding eating bush-meat or any kind of animal that is not properly cooked.
Staying up to date on smallpox and monkey-pox vaccination if you are at high risk.
It is important to note that there is no specific treatment for monkey-pox, and the smallpox vaccine is not effective against it.
Treatment of Monkeypox
Monkey-pox is a rare viral disease that is similar to smallpox. It is caused by the monkey-pox virus and is primarily found in certain parts of Africa. There is no specific treatment for monkey-pox, and management is primarily supportive. Treatment includes the administration of antiviral drugs such as cidofovir or vaccine immune globulin, as well as the use of antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. In severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary to provide supportive care, such as oxygen therapy and fluid replacement. It is important to prevent the spread of the virus by isolating infected individuals and taking appropriate infection control measures.