What You Need to Know About Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a viral disease that has recently gained attention due to outbreaks outside its usual endemic regions. Understanding this disease is crucial for public health awareness and prevention. This article provides essential information about monkeypox, its symptoms, transmission, and prevention methods.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It was first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, but the primary carriers are rodents in Central and West Africa ¹. Human cases were first recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ².

Symptoms of Monkeypox

The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox but generally less severe. They include:

Fever
Severe headache
Muscle aches
Back pain
Swollen lymph nodes
Skin rashes or lesions

The rash typically starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet ². The lesions go through several stages before crusting over and healing.

Transmission

Monkeypox can spread through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or skin lesions of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission occurs through respiratory droplets, contact with infected bodily fluids, or contaminated objects ³. The virus has a long incubation period of 1-2 weeks, which allows for timely intervention ¹.

Prevention and Treatment

Preventing monkeypox involves avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus and practicing good hygiene. Vaccination against smallpox has been shown to provide some protection against monkeypox ⁴. In case of exposure, ring vaccination (vaccinating those around an infected person) can help contain the spread ¹.

Treatment is mainly supportive, focusing on relieving symptoms. Antiviral drugs and vaccines developed for smallpox may also be effective ⁴.

While monkeypox is not as severe as smallpox, it is essential to stay informed about its symptoms, transmission, and prevention methods. By understanding and taking appropriate precautions, we can help prevent the spread of this disease.

References

¹: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ²: UN News ³: University of Central Florida ⁴: Healthline