2024-08-23 07:27:35
There has been a lot of talk about monkeypox since Sweden announced the first case of monkeypox infection in Europe on August 15, but Africa is already facing a real epidemic, with 18,737 cases since the beginning of the year.
If Quebec’s national public health director said last week that he was “not worried” about the situation, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Friday that he had put the health system on “maximum alert” in order to Be prepared.
On the same day, Pakistan confirmed its first case in South Asia.
Transmission, symptoms, treatment: here’s everything you need to know about monkeypox.
What is monkeypox?
According to the Pasteur Institute, monkeypox, also known as “monkeypox” (mpox), is a contagious viral infection caused by the orthopoxvirus, similar to human smallpox, which was eradicated through vaccination in 1977.
The virus got its name because it was first isolated from a group of monkeys in 1958, although it was actually rodents such as squirrels or mice that spread the disease, according to the International Center for Biomedical Research.
The two main types of monkeypox originate in West and Central Africa.
How do you get monkeypox?
Monkeypox is spread through contact, either with an already infected person, a contaminated surface, or an animal that carries the disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus can be spread through scratches or bites, or when hunting or cooking contaminated animals. In addition, it is possible to contract the disease from eating undercooked meat.
In the case of person-to-person contact, contamination may occur simply through droplets or breathing near a contaminated person, but it may also occur through skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, or sexual contact.
Viruses can also remain on surfaces for a period of time, whether they are clothing or everyday items such as utensils or electronic equipment.
People with mpox remain contagious until all the scabs, including those on the eyes and throat, fall away and reveal a new layer of skin.
Some prevention tips
To reduce the risk of monkeypox transmission, the World Health Organization recommends:
1-Avoid any unprotected contact with wild animals, especially sick or dead animals
2- In countries where animals carry the virus, make sure all animal products are thoroughly cooked before consumption
3-Clean and disinfect all objects and surfaces that may have been contaminated
4- Wash your hands after touching potentially contaminated surfaces
Monkeypox: What are the symptoms?
The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, but most commonly, patients develop a rash that lasts two to four weeks.
These papules, which look like blisters or lesions, may appear on the face, hands, feet, groin, or genital and anal areas, as well as in the mouth, throat, and even eyes.
AFP photo
The World Health Organization says these lesions may be accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
The mortality rate associated with monkeypox ranges from 0.1% to 10%, depending on access to care or the presence of other medical conditions.
Is there a cure for monkeypox?
The European Medicines Agency approved an antiviral treatment for smallpox in January 2022, but the treatment will only be used in exceptional circumstances, the World Health Organization said.
Because we currently have “limited experience using these treatments in monkeypox epidemic settings,” we can read.
File photo, AFP
Meanwhile, there are no approved treatments for monkeypox in Canada, other than the preventive vaccine Imvamune® authorized by Health Canada.
According to the federal government’s website, in the case of MPO infection, the treatments provided in Canada are only used to treat the wound, control pain and treat potential bacterial superinfection or complications.
Smallpox or chickenpox: What’s the difference?
Although many people confuse chickenpox and smallpox because of their similar symptoms, the two diseases differ in several ways:
1- According to the Santé sur le Net website, chickenpox is more common in children, while monkeypox mainly affects adults.
2- A second chickenpox infection is very rare, but it is not known whether a previous infection provides immunity against future infections in people with monkeypox.
3- Chickenpox can last about ten days, while symptoms of monkeypox can last up to four weeks.
4- According to Santé sur le Net, monkeypox causes only one rash, while chickenpox may cause two or three rashes in a row.
5- Chickenpox is more contagious and can be spread simply through air contact with the lesion, while monkeypox requires close, close contact.
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