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Mortality rates have varied in different monkeypox outbreaks, sometimes as high as 10%.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared Mpox or monkeypox a global public health emergency. This is the second time in two years that this disease has been declared a health emergency. The disease has spread in Congo, which has also affected neighboring countries.
Monkeypox is a viral disease like smallpox. Infection with this virus usually does not have many side effects, but in rare cases it can be fatal. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled sores on the body. This virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus family, which is also responsible for smallpox.
WHO is also concerned because different mortality rates have been observed in different outbreaks of monkeypox. Sometimes it has been more than 10%. It can prove to be more dangerous because it is an infectious disease. Therefore, WHO has issued the highest level alert regarding it.
Usually infection with this virus does not have many side effects, but in rare cases it can be fatal.
More than 17 thousand cases of Mpox have been reported in Africa so far
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), more than 17,000 suspected cases of Mpox have been reported on the African continent so far this year, while 517 deaths have been reported. This year the number of cases has increased by 160% compared to the same period last year. In total, Mpox cases have been reported in 13 countries.
This virus spreads through normal contact
The outbreak in Congo began with an endemic variant known as Clade I. But a new strain, Clade Ib, has emerged that spreads easily through casual contact, including sexual contact. It has spread to Congo’s neighbouring countries, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, prompting WHO to take action.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was clear that the world would have to work together to stop the spread of the disease and save lives. Earlier this week, Africa’s top public health body declared a Mpox emergency in Africa, warning that the viral infection was spreading at an alarming rate.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox
- It may take several days or a few weeks for symptoms to appear after someone is exposed to the virus.
- Symptoms usually appear 3 to 17 days after exposure. The time between when a person is exposed to the virus and when symptoms begin to appear is called the incubation period.
- The symptoms of monkeypox usually last for 2 to 4 weeks.
- The earliest symptom of monkeypox is fever. Then about 1 to 4 days after the fever starts, a rash begins to appear on the skin.
- The rash that comes out in this often appears on the face first. After this, it appears on the hands or feet and then spreads to other parts of the body.
- However, in cases associated with the outbreak that began in 2022, the rash often began in the genital area. Some people had a rash starting in the mouth or throat.
- The monkeypox rash goes through several stages. The initial flat rash turns into blisters. These blisters then fill with pus. They then form a scab and dry up over a period of 2 to 4 weeks.
- These rashes can appear anywhere on the mouth, face, hands, feet, penis, vagina or anus. Sometimes they also appear in the throat.
- Monkeypox can be spread by an infected person from the time your symptoms begin to appear until your rash and scabs have healed. It can also be spread by an infected person before you develop symptoms.
Symptoms may vary from person to person
- Not everyone who gets monkeypox develops all the symptoms. Usually, infected people go through a variety of symptoms.
- Only rashes appear on the skin, no other symptoms are visible. Sometimes some symptoms develop later.
- It causes flu-like symptoms, then a rash appears. Some people do not develop a rash at all despite being infected with monkeypox.
- In some people, the rash can be widespread, that is, it appears all over the body and is very large in size. While in others, only a few bumps or blisters appear.
- Some people may not even know they have monkeypox infection. This is because some people do not develop symptoms. However, it is possible that infected individuals can spread it to others through close contact.
Who does monkeypox affect?
This virus can affect anyone. However, in most cases in Africa, children under the age of 15 were more vulnerable. One reason for this could be that most adults had already received smallpox vaccines that are effective against monkeypox. However, these could not be given to children.
Outside Africa, cases of the disease were most prevalent among men who had sex with other men, although the virus also spread among people who were not bisexual or gay.
What is the treatment for monkeypox
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is currently no specific treatment available for monkeypox infection. However, with the help of some medicines, its spread can be controlled.
- There are already some medicines available in the market that are approved for use in the treatment of monkeypox and have been largely effective against the disease.
- Cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immunoglobulin are commonly used for its treatment.
Is there any way to prevent monkeypox?
There are many vaccines that can protect us from the monkeypox outbreak. Some vaccines have been developed specifically for this, while some vaccines were developed for smallpox, which are effective in preventing it.
- There is also a JYNNEOSTM vaccine available in the market to prevent monkeypox, which can be found under the name Imvammune or Imvanex.
- It is used extensively in Africa. Data shows that this vaccine is up to 85% effective in preventing monkeypox.
- A smallpox vaccine called ACAM2000 has also proven to be quite effective in preventing it.
- According to the World Health Organization, the immunity of people who have been vaccinated against smallpox is quite effective in protecting against the monkeypox virus.
- The problem is that due to the smallpox infection being stopped, its vaccination was stopped in many countries about 40 years ago. In such a situation, people here can be affected by it.
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