Just when the world was taking a breather from one pandemic, another disease had an outbreak – monkeypox. It has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation. Let us learn more about this disease.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is characterised by unexplained rashes, skin lesions, and flu-like symptoms; it is a potentially serious disease. The causative virus is transmitted to humans from animals.
Monkeypox disease was first discovered in 1958 in laboratory monkeys kept there for research, and the first human case of monkeypox was reported in 1970. Before the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox was reported in various central and western African countries. Since May 2022, monkeypox infection has been reported in several other countries.
About the virus
In an exclusive interaction with OnlyMyHealth editorial team Dr. Subramanian Swaminathan, Director – Infectious Diseases & Infection Control, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, explains that the monkeypox virus belongs to the same family of viruses that causes smallpox (the variola virus). This virus usually spreads when humans encounter infected animals and materials contaminated with the virus. But it can also spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
There are two different genetic clades of the monkeypox virus – the West African clade and the Central African (Congo Basin) clade. The current world outbreak (2022) is caused by the less severe West African clade.
Some animals susceptible to the monkeypox virus include rodents like dormice, Gambian pouched rats, rope squirrels, tree squirrels, and non-human primates including monkeys and other species.
Modes of transmission
Monkeypox can spread through close, personal, and skin-to-skin contact. This includes:
- Direct contact with rashes, scabs, or body fluids from a person infected by the monkeypox virus
- Touching recently contaminated objects, surfaces, and fabrics such as towels, clothing, and bedding
- Close contact with respiratory secretions
- Contact with infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by eating inadequately cooked meat and other animal products
- Living in or near forested areas may cause indirect or low-level exposure to infected animals
- From pregnant mother to foetus via placenta
Although close physical contact plays a major role in transmission, scientists are still studying if monkeypox can be transmitted specifically through sexual transmission routes.
Signs on skin and body
The symptoms of monkeypox are like smallpox but are milder. Monkeypox is rarely fatal. The symptoms usually appear within three weeks of exposure to the virus.
- The symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Backache and other muscle aches
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Exhaustion
- Respiratory symptoms like sore throat, cough, or nasal congestion
- Rashes on or near genitals, anus, hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth
One may experience all or only a few of these symptoms. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash one to four days later. But some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms appear until the rashes have healed. The illness usually lasts two to four weeks.
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Treatment and Vaccination
Most individuals infected with monkeypox recover on their own, without any treatment.
Mostly, the treatment is focused on alleviating the symptoms, managing complications, and preventing long-term consequences. The supportive treatment usually involves monitoring the patient’s condition, preventing dehydration, and prescribing antibiotics to treat associated bacterial infections (if any).
Currently, no antiviral treatment has been approved for monkeypox. Based on data obtained from animal and human studies, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has licensed an antiviral agent known as tecovirimat that was developed for the treatment of smallpox. However, it is not yet widely available.
Several studies have demonstrated that vaccination against smallpox was about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. This vaccination may also result in milder illness. Presently, the original (first-generation) smallpox vaccines are not available to the public. In 2019, a newer vaccine based on a modified attenuated vaccinia virus (Ankara strain) was approved for the prevention of monkeypox. This is a two-dose vaccine but has limited availability.
Preventive measures
The preventive measures mainly involve decreasing contact with infected animals and symptomatic individuals. These measures include:
1. Avoid contact with:
- infected animals, particularly sick or dead animals
- objects contaminated with the virus
- people who may be infected with the virus
2. Cook all the animal meat and parts thoroughly
3. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
4. Wear a mask to cover mouth and nose when in crowded places
5. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for people infected with the virus
6. Use condoms and dental dams for safe sex
7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Research is going on to determine the feasibility and appropriateness of vaccination for the prevention and control of monkeypox. Till then, spreading awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of monkeypox, as well as preventive measures would be the most prudent strategies to ward off its spread.