THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MONKEYPOX.

Monkeypox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus. The disease was firstly noticed in laboratory monkeys and it seems to affect rodents more than other primates. monkeypox can be transmitted to humans through contact with the infected host. The virus is found in remote parts of central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. People living in or near the forested areas may have indirect or low-level exposure to infected animals, as seen in the just established case in Bayelsa State, Nigeria


MODE  OF  INFECTION :
 The primary route of infection is thought to be contact with the infected animals or their bodily fluids. Animal-to-human transmission occurs through bites or a scratch from animals and bush meat preparation. The monkeypox virus can cause a fatal illness in humans and, although it is similar to human smallpox which has been eradicated, it is much milder. The monkeypox virus is transmitted to people from various wild animals but has limited secondary spread through human-to-human transmission. Risk factors for transmission include sharing a bed, room, or using the same utensils as an infected patient. The virus can spread from human to human by both respiratory contact and contact with infected person’s bodily fluids.


SYMPTOMS : 
The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 16 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. The most common symptoms include muscle pain, headache, fever, prior to the emergence of the rash. The rash is usually present on the trunk but has the capacity to spread to the palms and soles of the feet. The face, and palms of the hands and soles of the feet are most affected. Some patients develop severe lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) before the appearance of the rash, which is a distinctive feature of monkeypox compared to other similar diseases.


PREVENTION  AND  TREATMENT : Close physical contact with monkeypox infected people should be avoided. Gloves and protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill people. Regular hand washing should be carried out after caring for or visiting sick people. Restricting or banning the movement of small bush animals and monkeys may be effective in slowing the expansion of the virus within other states in Nigeria. Potentially infected animals should be isolated from other animals and placed into immediate quarantine. Animals that might have come into contact with an infected animal should be quarantined, handled with standard precautions and observed for monkeypox symptoms for 30 days.  Currently, there is no proven, safe treatment for monkeypox, but outbreaks can be controlled. Smallpox vaccine has been reported to reduce the risk of monkeypox among previously vaccinated persons in Africa. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that persons investigating monkeypox outbreaks and involved in caring for infected individuals or animals should receive a smallpox vaccination to protect against monkeypox. The people who have been infected can be vaccinated up to 14 days after exposure


Owoade Samuel
Oau Kilonshele News Outfit.
References: World Health Organization, Wikipedia,