Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, which means it may be transmitted from animals to humans. It’s been classified as a possible bioterrorism agent, so it can also pass between people. Monkeypox is most usually seen in tropical rainforests in Central and West Africa, where diseased rodents and monkeys that may spread the virus reside. Monkeypox cases have been reported in countries outside of Central and West Africa due to a combination of travel from endemic monkeypox areas.
In the United States, the first recorded infection occurred in 2003, most likely as a result of imported pet prairie dogs. Fever, severe headaches, muscular pains, back discomfort, poor energy, enlarged lymph nodes, and a skin rash or lesions are all symptoms. The rash normally appears one to three days after the fever has started. Lesions can be flat or slightly elevated, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, crusted, dried up, and eventually fall off. A person’s number of lesions might range from a dozen to several hundreds. The rash mostly affects the face, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. They also appear on the lips, genitals, and eyes.
Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment, but they can cause medical issues and even death in some people. Monkeypox can cause more serious symptoms and mortality in newborns, toddlers, and adults with preexisting immune weaknesses. Skin infections, pneumonia, disorientation, and eye infections, which can lead to vision loss, are all complications of severe instances of monkeypox. In recent years, 3-6% of reported cases in endemic nations have resulted in mortality, most commonly in youngsters or people with underlying health problems.
When individuals come into physical contact with an infected animal, monkeypox spreads to them. Avoiding unprotected contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or dead, can lower the chance of contracting monkeypox from them (including their meat and blood). Any foods including animal flesh or parts should be fully cooked before consuming in endemic countries where animals spread monkeypox. Monkeypox can be contracted by close personal contact with someone who is exhibiting symptoms. The rash, as well as body secretions such as blood from skin lesions and scabs, is highly contagious. Clothing, blankets, towels, and things such as dining utensils/dishes that have been contaminated with the virus as a result of contact with an infected individual can infect others.
According to a research published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, the virus may cause lung damage during infection.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently said that the monkeypox virus has now been confirmed in 23 countries and that there have so far been a total of 257 laboratory-confirmed cases, as on May 26. The highest cases (106) are in UK, followed by 49 in Portugal, and 10 each in the US and Spain.
