Mpox, formerly known as monkey pox, has been on the rise in recent days.
More specifically, about two weeks ago the first outbreak was detected in the United Kingdom causing great concern to public health experts. After the increase in cases is detected, the spread increases with transmissibility remaining unknown.
The WHO has declared the highest level of alert. It is recalled that in July 2022 the WHO had declared a global alarm but about a year later, in May 2023, it took it.
What is the monkey blessing
Beyond the outbreak, scientists are concerned about the spread of a new strain identified in Congo in September 2023 and named Clade Ib. This strain is more deadly and more easily transmitted.
According to the European Immunization Information Portal, monkeypox is a rare viral disease that causes symptoms of an acute viral infection (such as: fever, headache, muscle aches) and a skin rash with papules or blisters.
In 2022, for the first time, a large number of cases were reported in the EU. but also worldwide in countries where the disease was not common. Over 20,000 cases were reported in the EU. / in the EEA during the outbreak in 2022. These cases were not associated with travel to places where monkeypox virus was historically known to circulate.
As the European Vaccination Information Portal points out, symptoms include lesions that can be difficult to differentiate from infections caused by other poxviruses and, to some extent, fowlpox.
People infected with monkeypox often experience a combination of the following symptoms:
fever
headache
shudder
exhaustion
swelling of the lymph nodes
back pain and muscle aches
mucosal lesions and skin rash.
The rash may appear before or after the other symptoms. It is usually found on the face, hands, feet, around the genitals or anus. Skin lesions often first appear as spots that develop into fluid-filled blisters. Then, in splinted scabs, before the skin is completely healed.
It is noted that most people infected with monkeypox recover without complications. Newly diagnosed cases of monkeypox should be medically evaluated for disease severity and risk factors.
Treatment reportedly focuses mainly on improving symptoms. Regarding antiviral therapy, two drugs approved for the treatment of smallpox are also considered effective against monkeypox: tecovirimat, in combination with brincidofovir, in patients with severe disease.
Vulnerable groups
Mortality in African countries varies between 1-10% for Central African strains, while for West African strains that are those identified in the recent outbreak in Europe, mortality in Africa is around 3%. No deaths were recorded in outbreaks in the Western Hemisphere.
If someone has direct contact with someone who is sick, they run the risk of contracting the virus. Contact with clothing, bedding, towels, objects, and other surfaces that have been touched by someone with monkeypox can also lead to transmission of the monkeypox virus.
People with weakened immune systems due to their underlying illnesses, as well as taking certain medications or treatments (eg chemotherapy), may be more vulnerable to monkeypox and its complications.
It is important to note that although these groups may be at higher risk, monkeypox can potentially infect anyone who comes into contact with an infected person.
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