What Is Monkeypox; The monkeypox virus, which has started to spread rapidly in the world recently, has emerged as a new source of concern before the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have not been overcome yet. So what is monkeypox virus? Is there a possibility of a new pandemic? What precautions should be taken for the monkeypox virus? In this article, we will provide information in six questions about monkeypox.
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What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox Virus?
What Is Monkeypox; Monkeypox is a disease that first appears in the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa, is occasionally seen in other regions, and is transmitted from animals to humans. Typically, it presents with fever, skin rashes, and enlarged lymph nodes. It can also lead to various medical complications. It is a self-limiting disease with symptoms that usually last 2-4 weeks. But severe cases can occur. Recently, mortality rates from this virus have been reported as 3-6%.
Is Monkeypox Virus Contagious?
What Is Monkeypox; Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or through contaminated material. The disease can be passed from one person to another through lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated items such as bedding. Droplet transmission often requires prolonged face-to-face contact, which puts healthcare workers, households and close contacts of active cases at risk.
The chain of transmission from person to person has increased from 6 to 9 people in recent years. The reason for this may be due to the reduced immunity in the community due to the lack of smallpox vaccination. Transmission from mother to baby can occur by close contact during and after pregnancy and childbirth.
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Clinical Appearance of Monkeypox
What Is Monkeypox; The clinical manifestation of Monkeypox is similar to smallpox, which was declared to be eradicated worldwide in 1980. It is less contagious than smallpox and causes milder disease. With the eradication of smallpox and subsequent discontinuation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox virus has become important to public health.
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox Virus Disease?
What Is Monkeypox; The incubation period of monkeypox is usually 6-13 days, but can vary from 5-21 days. Infection can be divided into two periods. Initial period 0-5 characterized by fever, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, back pain, muscle pain, weakness. between days. Enlargement of lymph nodes is a prominent feature for this disease and is important in differentiating between measles, smallpox and chickenpox.
Skin rash begins 1-3 days after fever. The rash is more intense on the face, arms and legs rather than the trunk. The face (95%), palms and soles of the feet (75%) are affected. In addition, oral mucosa (70%), genital area (30%) and conjunctiva (20%) are affected. The rashes first develop as flat-bottomed, slightly raised, then clear, then yellowish, fluid-filled lesions. Lesions may be few or thousands.
What Is Monkeypox; Symptoms are self-limiting within 2-4 weeks. Severe disease can be seen in children. It can also have a severe course in people with immune deficiency. Although smallpox vaccine used to have protection, today people under the age of 40-50 are more susceptible to the disease, depending on the countries. Complications include lung infection, sepsis, vision loss and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Treatment Methods for Monkeypox Virus
What Is Monkeypox; Monkeypox virus disease is more common in urban areas, although it is mostly seen in settlements close to the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. Rodents (such as squirrels, rats) and non-human primates are animal hosts of the disease.
Vaccines used during the eradication of smallpox also provided protection against monkeypox. In addition, new vaccines that have been approved for the prevention of monkeypox have been developed. Medicines developed for the treatment of smallpox are also licensed for the treatment of monkeypox.
Could Monkeypox Virus Cause a New Pandemic?
What Is Monkeypox; Human monkeypox was first described in humans in 1970 in a 9-year-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where smallpox was eradicated in 1968. Since then, most cases have been reported in the rural, rainforest region. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in humans in 11 African countries. The monkeypox virus disease monkeypox is a disease of global public health importance as it affects not only countries in West and Central Africa but also the rest of the world.
The first monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa occurred in the USA in 2003 and was associated with contact with domestic dogs. These pets were housed with rats brought from Ghana. More than 70 cases were seen in this epidemic. The disease was seen in people who traveled from Nigeria to Israel in 2018, to the UK in 2018, and to Singapore and the USA in the following years. Recently, it has been reported that the virus has spread in European countries. This situation must be brought under control.
Precautions You Can Take Against Monkeypox Virus
What Is Monkeypox; Surveillance, that is, systematic observations of the virus and rapid identification of new cases are critical to contain the epidemic. During outbreaks, close contact with infected people is the most important risk factor for monkeypox virus infection. Healthcare workers and households are at a greater risk of infection.
Healthcare professionals who treat and care for patients with suspected or confirmed infection with monkeypox virus, or obtain samples from them, should follow standard infection control precautions. If possible, persons previously vaccinated against smallpox should be selected for the care of the patient. Personal hygiene measures should also be taken into consideration individually. However, care should be taken when using common goods and common areas.
