What happened to monkey pox
Monkeypox is a very rare viral disease that is sometimes confused with smallpox, chicken pox, measles or polio.
It was first discovered in 1958, and named after the African island where it was first identified.
In humans, it can be spread by direct contact with infected animals such as monkeys, or by touching infected personal items, such as clothes or luggage, which are then touched by a patient.
It's a rare disease, although, as a result of the vaccination campaign against smallpox, the disease is much less likely than it once was.
Rash: The rash starts on the face, but quickly spreads to the body. It's itchy and inflamed, and patients may not be able to bear their own touch.
Sore throat: Itchy, dry skin.
Exhaustion: Tired and irritable.
Fever: Fever. It's usually mild and lasts two or three days.
Discharge from rash: Minor, greyish discharge from the eyes.
Sore throat: It can be red and painful, but it may also be dry.
Bacteria: The bacteria may cause the rash to blossom.
Fever: Fever may last a week, or less, and is often accompanied by headache.
Stomach: Suffers abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Fears of serious infection are probably false because there's no evidence the infection spreads to the bloodstream or can cause cancer.
Biggest worry: How the infection spreads from person to person.
These are some of the most common questions that people ask about monkeypox, answered by Professor Masha Burina, a virologist at the University of Alberta in Canada.Q: Is monkeypox really contagious?
A: Yes, but it's rare and only spreads from person to person via direct contact with body fluids, such as the saliva, sweat, and urine, and people with the infection can spread it before they start showing symptoms.
Q: How do you get it?
A: It can be spread by coming into close contact with an infected monkey or monkey meat, which can then spread it to other monkeys and humans, or to people eating the meat.
In addition, it can be spread through the placenta to the newborn baby.
Q: What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
A: The first symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles and joints, which are often the same as those of smallpox.
Over the following days, the rash appears on the chest, stomach, back, arms and legs. Some patients also develop more serious symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, shock and then pneumonia.
In severe cases, the infection can be fatal.
Q: Can monkeypox be spread from person to person?
A: Yes, it can. Once a person is infected, they can spread the virus to people before they show any symptoms.
Q: How long does the infection last?
A: It may last from five days to eight weeks.
Q: What are the treatment options?
A: There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but patients may have symptom relief with antibiotics.
Q: How is it treated?
A: Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection.
Q: Can it be cured?
A: Yes. When a patient is no longer infectious they can have a skin infection with local treatment.
Q: Are there any health consequences from monkeypox?
A: There is no evidence of long-term health problems linked to monkeypox.
Q: How do you treat the infection?
A: The best treatment is to reduce the amount of body fluids to avoid spreading the infection.
Q: Can the infection spread to other animals?
A: Yes. Animal bites are the biggest risk for transmission.
However, the risk of transmission to people is low.
Q: Is it possible to catch monkeypox outside of Africa?
A: Yes. Monkeypox can be transferred to people who work directly with infected animals, such as farmers and slaughterhouse workers, veterinarians, pig farmers, and meat handlers.
Q: Is it necessary to avoid eating bushmeat?
A: It is not recommended to stop eating meat.
Q: Can the infection spread to humans outside Africa?
A: Yes. All of Africa is at risk of importing imported cases of monkeypox.
Q: Is it a threat to health in Australia?
A: No, it is not a threat to Australia's health.
Q: What countries have imported cases of monkeypox?
A: Japan, the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland have imported cases.
Q: Where else has it been reported?
A: It is rare to import cases of monkeypox.
Q: What are the complications of monkeypox?
A: The most serious complications are pneumonia and severe skin infections, including a skin cancer called armyworms.
Q: What about Monkeypox in the Americas?
A: It is not widespread in the Americas, but it has been reported in the United States and Brazil.
Q: Are there any complications from the infection?
A: Some people with symptoms develop skin infections. The skin infection can result in serious and sometimes fatal infections if untreated.
Q: Are there any vaccines?
A: There is no specific vaccine. The best protection is to avoid contact with the infected animal.
Q: Is the infection dangerous for children?
A: Yes. Children are more likely to get infections and the disease may be more severe.
Q: How can people get monkeypox?
A: Most cases are spread through direct contact with infected animals such as monkeys or infected rodents, or through contact with their bodily fluids such as saliva, blood or urine.
Q: How can people prevent infection?
A: You can protect yourself by avoiding contact with infected animals.
Q: Can people visit areas where monkeys are?
A: The risk of infection is very low.
Q: Can people still travel to South Africa to visit a national park or monkey sanctuary?
A: Yes.
Q: Can they still go to Africa to visit monkeys or visit their national parks?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there any treatment for people who have monkeypox?
A: There is no specific treatment for monkeypox. Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection.
Q: Are there any health consequences from monkeypox?
A: The majority of patients recover fully, but some may have symptoms such as headache, fever, backache, swollen lymph nodes, and swollen limbs.
Q: Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?
A: There is no specific vaccine for monkeypox.
Q: How common is monkeypox in Africa?
A: It is relatively common in Africa.
Q: Are there any signs or symptoms of monkeypox in people?
A: Most people with a diagnosis of monkeypox have a fever, but it can also cause an illness with more severe symptoms. These symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.
PREVENTION OF MONKEYPOX
- Awareness of monkeypox
- Avoid direct contact with animals
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth
- Clean shoes and clothes properly to prevent transmission
- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from buckets, cans, unused flowerpots or similar containers where mosquitoes lay eggs
- Eliminate standing water from items such as tires, buckets, toys and discarded tires.
- Cover up with long pants and long sleeves and wear a mosquito repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient
Outbreak in Africa
Cases of monkeypox have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal, and the United Republic of Tanzania since the beginning of 2017.
The current outbreak is larger than those that occurred in 2015 and 2016, which included more than 260 cases of human infection, including 52 deaths.
The World Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and Africa's Emergency Operations Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases are supporting affected countries with research, training and supplies to strengthen surveillance and case management, epidemiological investigation and community engagement.
The average incubation period of monkeypox is 7 to 15 days. The virus is transmitted to people from infected monkeys or through contaminated food, people or environments. It can be treated successfully if diagnosed early, with a combination of supportive therapy.At this time, there is no specific treatment for monkeypox.
The CDC recommends following steps to help prevent the spread of illness and transmission to others:
- Bathe or shower with soap and water before touching yourself or your childWash your hands with running water or soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available
- Avoid contact with ill people
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, objects, and even food that someone with a disease has touched
- Always wash your hands before eating food.
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