What is it?
Monkeypox: A Cross-Species Concern
Monkeypox, categorized as a zoonosis, is an illness that can spread from animals to humans. It is caused by the monkeypox virus and is found in creatures like squirrels, Gambian poached rats, dormice, and various monkey species.
While it shares similarities with smallpox regarding symptoms, it generally exhibits milder clinical effects.
When was it first discovered?
The initial instances of Monkeypox in humans were documented in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. A notable incident occurred in the United States in 2003 when an outbreak was traced back to the trade of rodents imported from Ghana and sold at a pet store. Additionally, in 1964, a monkeypox epidemic struck the Rotterdam Zoo.
This viral zoonotic disease earned its name from the initial cases discovered in monkeys in 1958, during outbreaks within research colonies.
Symptoms!
Individuals who contract the infection experience a skin rash that bears a resemblance to chickenpox. However, the accompanying symptoms, such as fever, discomfort, and headache in cases of Monkeypox, tend to be more intense than those observed in chickenpox infections.
During the initial phase of the illness, Monkeypox can be identified as smallpox due to the enlargement of the lymph gland.
Transmission and Diagnose
The main way of getting infected is by coming into direct contact with an infected animal’s blood, bodily fluids, or skin/mucosal sores. Eating meat from infected animals and not cooking properly is also a potential risk.
Transmission from person to person can happen if you are in close contact with the respiratory secretions or skin sores of someone infected or if you touch objects that have recently been in contact with fluids or materials from a patient.
Transmission can also occur through inoculation or from a pregnant mother to her baby (congenital Monkeypox).
Monkeypox disease can be distinguished from chickenpox or smallpox by the swelling of lymph nodes, especially during the early stages of illness. Confirming the diagnosis involves testing the virus, often using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on samples from skin sores. PCR blood tests might not always provide clear results, as the virus does not remain in the blood for long periods.
Treatment
Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine designed specifically for Monkeypox infection. In the past, the anti-smallpox vaccine showed about 85% effectiveness in preventing Monkeypox. However, since smallpox was eradicated globally in 1980, this vaccine is not widely available anymore.
Currently, there is no comprehensive worldwide system to manage the spread of Monkeypox. Different countries face challenges when trying to contain outbreaks. Tecovirimat is approved for treating various poxviruses, including Monkeypox, in the European Union and the United States.
If antiviral treatment becomes necessary, tecovirimat or the smallpox medication brincidofovir, along with supportive measures like managing fever, maintaining fluid balance, and ensuring proper oxygen levels, are recommended according to BMJ Best Practice.
Previous outbreaks of Monkeypox
The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously declared public health emergencies for various critical situations, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014, the Zika virus spread in Latin America in 2016, and the ongoing efforts to eradicate Polio.
When a public health emergency is declared, it calls for increased global support and attention to address the outbreak effectively. In May 2022, many monkeypox cases and clusters were identified in the United Kingdom. Similar cases soon followed this in Spain and Portugal, all linked to a larger and ongoing monkeypox outbreak.
The first confirmed case, which had connections to travel from Nigeria, was officially identified on May 6, 2022. However, there is speculation that infections have been spreading across Europe for several months before this confirmed case.
Previous year Question
Q. Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic. (2020)
