What Disease Is Monkeypox Reported in Many Countries?

---All Common Information You Need To Know About Monkeypox

Recently, more monkeypox cases identified as surveillance expands in many countries. WHO's data show that as of 21 May, 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported from 12 member states that are not endemic to monkeypox virus, with no associated deaths to date.

Here is some common information that we need to know about monkeypox. 

• What is monkeypox?

• What are the symptoms of monkeypox infection? 

• How does monkeypox virus spread?

• How to prevent the monkeypox?

• Will "Monkeypox" Become a pandemic?

Part I What is monkeypox?

"Monkeypox" is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus infection, which are similar symptoms to smallpox but has less clinical severity.

When was the monkeypox virus discovered?

Scientists first discovered the virus in laboratory monkeys in 1958 and named it monkeypox virus

Since the eradication of smallpox in humans in 1980, monkeypox virus has become the most serious orthopoxvirus

Natural host:

The main carriers and transmitters of this virus are rodents such as mice and squirrels

Part II What are the symptoms of monkeypox infection? 

Monkeypox virus infection can be divided into three stages:

1 incubation period

About 8~13 days, maybe up to 21 days

2 stages of the disease

Fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, myalgia, severe fatigue

Swollen lymph nodes are a distinct feature of monkeypox compared to diseases such as chickenpox, measles, and smallpox

3 rash stage

The rash tends to focus on the face and extremities

The rash changes from maculopapular to small blisters and pustules, which dry and fall off and crust over, the number varies from a few to several thousand. Most infected people recover within a few weeks, but others develop serious illnesses such as bronchopneumonia and sepsis.

Part III  The main endemic areas of "monkeypox"

The main endemic areas of "monkeypox"

Central and western Africa, usually near rainforests* but increasingly in urban areas

In 1970, the first case of infection was found in Congo (Kinshasa)

The first outbreak outside of 2003 occurred in the United States on the African continent

Since 2018, it has been found that infected persons in Israel, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and other countries have been found in travelers from Nigeria. The UK, Portugal, Spain, and several countries have recently reported confirmed and suspected cases of "monkeypox" more than 100 cases.

Part IV  How does monkeypox virus spread?

Animal-to-human:

Direct contact with blood, body fluids, skin, or mucous membrane wounds of infected animals

Eating undercooked meat and other animal products from infected animals

Secondary transmission between humans:

close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person, or indirect contact with contaminated items

Prolonged face-to-face contact may cause respiratory droplet transmission

Mother-to-child transmission may occur through the placenta or through close contact during labor

Part V  How to prevent the monkeypox?

1. Smallpox vaccine for prevention

"Monkeypox" is about 85% effective

Monkeypox virus and variola virus belong to the same virus family, and vaccines against variola virus are also protective against monkeypox virus

2. Stay away from possible sources of infection

Avoid contact with animals that may carry monkeypox virus (rodents, marsupials, primates) and objects they have been in contact with

3. It is recommended to cook meat thoroughly

Part VI  Will "Monkeypox" Become a pandemic?

Monkeypox virus is not as transmissible as respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza;

More understanding of poxviruses can lead to swift action to interrupt transmission;

Drugs and next-generation vaccines against smallpox virus in preparation for monkeypox virus.

Don't  Excessive panic

The discovery of monkeypox cases in a number of non-monkeypox-endemic countries this time is an "atypical" situation, and all parts of the world still need to remain vigilant.