What is Monkeypox?

With more than 27,000 Monkeypox cases across the globe, what is its history, current situation and reasons? How can you prevent Monkeypox infection?

Monkeypox is an uncommon disease, generally caused by infection with a virus, named monkeypox virus. It comes from the same family of viruses that causes smallpox, called variola. Though monkeypox is rarely fatal, there are over 27,000 cases across the globe with six deaths globally till August 8, 2022.
 

Major countries have reported monkeypox cases including Brazil, the US, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

Considering the outbreak, the World Health Organisation has declared the current monkeypox epidemic a global health emergency.

Monkeypox began at the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1958. Monkeys were being kept for research after pox-like infectious diseases occurred in them. Similar to humans, monkeys are also not the source of this virus. As of now, it is considered to be similar to smallpox and might share the same roots.

On July 14, India reported the first case of Monkeypox after a guy who returned to Kerala from abroad developed symptoms of the infectious disease. There is only one death in India out of nine reported cases, so far.

According to Kerala Health Minister Veena George, monkeypox was diagnosed in a person who had returned from the United Arab Emirates 3 days ago and had been contacted with another positive case in the UAE. His samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology in Pune, stated the Health Minister of Kerala.

How does Monkeypox spread?
Unlike coronavirus, Monkeypox is not an airborne virus. It spreads through direct contact with the infectious rash, body fluids or scabs. However, it can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged intimacy, face-to-face contact or physical contact.

Since it belongs to the variola family, it is closely related to the eradicated virus smallpox. It was most prevalent in Western and Central African nations. In 2020, WHO reported 4,594 suspected cases of monkeypox, including 171 deaths. Since they were not tested by PCR, they were considered suspected cases.

Symptoms of monkeypox normal occur between five and thirteen days. The infection causes bumps all over the body. After bumps, fever, muscle ache, swelling or headache can be experienced. Further, these rashes or bumps form a scab which falls off with skin or without skin. Wet areas such as genitals, mouth and cornea are susceptible to the spread of this virus.

It can only be diagnosed with PCR tests, and there is no designated cure for this disease. However, a few antivirals for orthopoxviruses can help protect against monkeypox, like tecovirimat.

Are there different variants of Monkeypox?
Two key clades of the monkeypox virus are the Central Africa clade and West Africa clad. The current clade responsible for the global outbreak is the Central African clade.

How is Monkeypox diagnosed?
Monkeypox can be identified only with blood or by looking under a microscope at a sample of fluid swabbed from the rash. Since it is a rare disease, your doctor might rule out other similar illnesses such as chickenpox, measles or syphilis.

Is Monkeypox as contagious as coronavirus?
Unlike coronavirus, Monkeypox is less contagious and the West African clade is rarely fatal. Only 1% of affected people have a risk of death.

Though people with weak immunity and children under 8 years of age are susceptible to it. Further, people with a history of eczema or pregnant or lactating people have a high risk of serious illness or death.