Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes a disease with symptoms similar, but less severe, to smallpox. While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, monkeypox continues to occur in countries of central and west Africa. There has been an outbreak of Monkey Pox, in May 2022. It is an infectious viral disease that may occur in humans and some other animals too. Here are some facts to know about the disease:
Gestation period: 5 days to 21 days
Duration of Symptoms: 2 weeks to 4 weeks
People at higher risk: Children, pregnant women, people with suppressed immune systems
Transmission: Animal to human (bites, scratches, handling infected meat) Human to human (exposure to infected body fluid, small droplets and airborne pathways)
Symptoms:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Skin rashes
- Headaches
- Muscular pain
- Tiredness & Fatigue
As per the report by Zee news, on the 21st of May, 2022 Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya directed the National Centre for Disease Control and the ICMR to keep a close watch and monitor the situation. The Union Health Ministry has also directed port and airport health officers to be vigilant. They have been instructed to isolate and send samples to the National Institute of Virology of any sick passenger with a travel history to infected countries.
Precautions:
- Avoid physical contact with an infected person, or with a person who has visible rashes
- Avoid physical contact with objects and materials that an infected person may have used
- Sanitize your hands frequently by washing them or using sanitizers
- Get vaccinated Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox. Newer vaccines have been developed of which one has been approved for the prevention of monkeypox.
Diagnosis:
- The clinical differential diagnosis that must be considered includes other rash illnesses, such as chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections and allergies.
- If monkeypox is suspected, health workers should perform a skin biopsy and get it transported safely to a laboratory with appropriate capability for testing.
Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with its symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases occur more commonly among children and are related to the extent of virus exposure, patient health and immunity status. Monkeypox has a very low fatality rate, between 0-11%, with the current global rate being 3-6%. It is advised to take precaution to stay safe and avoid being a carrier.
Via WHO (World Health Organisation)