Monkey pox

Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus within the family Poxviridae. The disease was first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, hence the name "monkeypox." However, rodents are believed to be the primary reservoir hosts. Monkeypox primarily occurs in central and west African countries, but has been increasingly reported in other parts of the world, indicating a potential for wider spread.

Symptoms and Transmission

Monkeypox is similar to smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection that has been eradicated, but is generally milder. The incubation period of monkeypox can range from 5 to 21 days. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body.

Transmission of monkeypox virus occurs through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. Human-to-human transmission can result from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person, or recently contaminated objects. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention strategies for monkeypox include avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus, especially in areas where the disease is common. Measures such as hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can help reduce the risk of transmission. There is no specific treatment for monkeypox virus infection, but outbreaks can be controlled. Vaccination against smallpox has been shown to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Antiviral drugs and vaccines developed for smallpox may also be used in controlling outbreaks.

Epidemiology

Monkeypox was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a 9-year-old boy in a region where smallpox had been eliminated in 1968. Since then, the incidence of monkeypox has been on the rise, particularly in rural, rainforest regions of the Congo Basin and West Africa. The disease has also spread to other continents through international travel and animal trade.

Recent Outbreaks

In the 21st century, monkeypox has emerged in several countries outside of Africa, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel, among others. These outbreaks have been linked to international travel or imported animals. The global health community monitors these outbreaks closely due to the potential for the disease to spread in areas where people have no immunity from previous smallpox vaccinations.