What Is Monkeypox?
With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent discontinuation of smallpox vaccination, Monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health. It's now been declared an outbreak by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.).
Welcome to ANB. The internet show where we feed your curiosity with bite-sized pieces of knowledge. Today's topic: What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox was first identified in 1958 when there were two outbreaks of "pox-like" disease in research monkeys. It is a rare zoonotic disease -- meaning it is a viral infection that can spread between animals and people. It is caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, which is why its symptoms are similar to those seen in smallpox patients in the past. Fortunately, it's clinically less severe.
During the onset of the illness, the patient will exhibit flu-like symptoms -- fever, headache, back pain, and fatigue. Rashes then appear a couple of days later; these are usually more concentrated on the face, arms, hands, feet, and legs. Sounds like chickenpox right? Yes, but it's not. Apart from being caused by a different family of viruses, Monkeypox patients exhibit an enlargement of lymph nodes -- which means the body is fighting an infection. This does not appear in other similar diseases like chickenpox, measles, or smallpox. It usually lasts anywhere from two to four weeks.
The virus is mainly contracted via wild animals from parts of West and Central Africa; hence the two variants. Historically, the outbreaks seen were usually contained in these parts of Africa, with some isolated cases in different parts of the world. It is transmitted when one comes in direct contact with blood, bodily fluid, and the blister fluid of infected animals. Some of the previous outbreaks in other countries were traced to pets that were unknowingly put in cages next to infected animals; thus infecting their owners upon their return home.
Human-to-human contact is rare, but it happens. So it's likely, that the current outbreaks are multiple isolated cases.
There is no known treatment for Monkeypox as the disease is self-limiting. It goes through a natural progression, from fever to blisters to scabs. People with Monkeypox are typically given adequate fluids and nutrition, and symptoms are alleviated as they occur. Complications usually occur due to secondary bacterial infections.
Children are seemingly more susceptible to exhibiting more severe symptoms, but it could be due to older generations having been vaccinated against Smallpox. Historically, the fatality rate for Monkeypox was 10%. However, due to the advancement in medicine, the current fatality rate is down to around 3%-6%.
Narrated by: Kashieu
If you like our content, be sure to join us on:
• Facebook: / anongaba
Music: https://www.bensound.com
#monkeypox #anongaba #outbreak