Mpox Virus or Monkey pox virus Outbreak
Mpox or Monkey pox virus WHO has declared Mpox outbreak across multiple parts of Africa a public health emergency. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported over 39cases in the country. Most of people lack proper knowledge of this disease, so I decided to highlight important facts about the disease and how to prevent it . Here’s all you need to know about this outbreak –
What is Mpox Virus?
Mpox virus full meaning monkey pox virus, is a viral infection similar to smallpox but generally less severe. It can affect anyone. Mpox (Monkey pox) involved double stranded DNA virus
Genus: Orthopox
Family: Poxviridae
There are two distinct clades of the virus: Clade I, Clade II. In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of mpox was caused by the clade IIb strain.
Mpox or Monkey pox virus Discovery:
The Mpox virus was first found in monkeys in Denmark in 1958. It was first detected in a 9-month-old baby in the Congo in 1970. Which was eradicated in the 1980s.
Mpox or Monkey pox virus Symptoms to Watch For
Common symptoms of Mpox virus or Monkey pox virus are a skin rash or mucosal lesions. Mpox symptoms usually start with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. Which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes can swell, a feature that distinguishes mpox from smallpox. A few days after the fever, a rash appears, typically starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.
For some people, the first symptom of Mpox virus or Monkey pox virus is a rash, while others may have fever, muscle aches or sore throat first. Some people may have one or a few skin lesions and others have hundreds or more. Some people also have painful swelling of their rectum (proctitis) or pain and difficulty when peeing (dysuria) or when swallowing.
Note that these symptoms usually appear within 5 to 21 days after exposure.
Transmission Modes or H𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝:
Mpox virus or Monkey pox virus spreads through Animal to human transmission, direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or skin/mucosal lesions of infected animals. Contact with infected animals, Human-to-human transmission is primarily via respiratory droplets, requiring prolonged face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread through contact with infected materials, such as bedding or clothing. Persons through touch, kissing or sex. Animal when hunting skinning or cooking them, pregnant persons who may pass the virus on their unborn baby.
Mpox virus Prevention Tips
- Vaccination: Vaccination is the first prior to prevent Mpox virus. Getting an Mpox virus vaccine can help prevent infection.
- Avoid Contact with Potential Carriers: Refrain from touching animals that could carry the virus, particularly rodents and primates.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Regular hand washing with soap and water is crucial, especially after contact with potentially infected people or animals.
- Limit Contact: Avoid close, prolonged contact with infected individuals.
- Safe Food Practices: Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked, especially when visiting regions where Mpox is more common.
- Isolation: Infected individuals should isolate and avoid physical contact with others until they have fully recovered.
- Self-care and prevention: contact your health care provider for advice, stay at home, wash hands especially before or after touching sores; wear a mask etc.
Complications :
- Severe bacterial infection of skin lesions
- Myocarditis
- Pneumonia
- Loss of vision
- Encephalitis
- Death
Diagnosis:
Identifying Mpox virus ( Monkey pox) can be difficult because other infections and conditions can look similar.
Viral DNA detection from clinical specimen by real-time PCR. The best diagnostic specimens are taken directly from the rash – skin, fluid or crusts – collected by vigorous swabbing.
As of 2024, WHO has issued a global emergency alert, with over 16,000 reported cases and 511 deaths. So it can be said that if there is no immediate action on this, if the affected countries are not locked down, the world can see a terrible situation in front of its eyes once again.