Monkeypox (Mpox)
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox (Simian pox) infection is one of the rare diseases that cause infection with the monkeypox virus, and the virus belongs to the smallpox virus family.
Disease history:
Monkeypox was discovered for the first time in 1958, when two cases of smallpox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence came the name (monkeypox), and the first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 by some wild animals and rodents, and since then, small foci are recorded periodically, and the disease is endemic to a limited number of some African countries.
The disease is also classified into two types: the first type spreads in West Africa and is less harmful, and the death rate of those infected therewith is about 1%, while the second type spreads in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and causes 10% of deaths from those infected therewith.
Countries where it spread:
Monkeypox appears increasingly in Central, East, and West Africa, and a global outbreak occurred in 2022-2023. Cases of monkeypox virus infection in people outside Africa associated with international travel or imported animals, including cases in continents of Europe, America, and East Asia.
Ways of spreading infection:
Monkeypox virus is most often transmitted from person to person through direct contact such as sexual relations, or through direct contact with blood or mucous secretions of infected wild animals including monkeys and rodents, contact with disease blisters (through the skin), or contact with contaminated tools or surfaces. .
Infection and incubation period of the virus:
The incubation period for the virus is usually 7-14 days; But the body can host the virus from 5-21 days. The symptoms are:
- High fever.
- Skin rash.
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Back pain.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Feeling tired.
The disease begins to appear in the body from day 1-3, when temperature rises, and the rash begins to appear on the face, and spreads to the rest of the body, including: the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the genitals, the mucous membranes, and the conjunctiva. lymph nodes before the rash appears.
What should you do if you have symptoms of suspicion?
- Observe symptoms for 21 days.
- Tell anyone you have been in close contact with recently.
- Keep your hands clean.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid contact with immunity deficiency people, children, and pregnant women.
Treatment:
There is no confirmed treatment for Monkeypox (simian pox) virus infection at present. To control its outbreak, smallpox vaccine, antiviral drugs and immunoglobulin (VIG) are used.
How do we limit the spread of infection?
- Avoid contact with infected people.
- Wear gloves and a mask while taking care of patients.
- Avoid contact with infected animals.
- Wash hands with soap and water, or use sanitizer.
References:
(WHO)