The recent breakdown of Monkeypox virus
Tabinda Salman
Dear Fellows,
Everyone in the World is seriously concerned about a breakdown these days. Yes, this is none other than the Monkeypox. After listening to the name of the disease, the first thing that comes to everybody’s mind is why it’s called Monkeypox? The answer to this question varies, according to some scientists, the lesions appear on the skin as a result of getting this disease a person scratches his body in the same way as a monkey normally scratches its body. The other reason for the disease getting this name is that some scientists suggest that it may have transferred from monkeys to humans. However, later it was researched that the main reservoir of this virus is various species of rodents, and the poor monkeys are also the victims of this virus same as the humans are.
History
The Monkeypox virus was first time recognized in monkeys by Preben von Magnus in 1958 and in humans in 1970. It was found that approximately 50 cases were reported between 1970 and 1979. The virus was first time identified as a pathogen of crab-eating macaque monkeys. These monkeys were being used as laboratory animals then.
Monkey virus is not a new type of virus, rather it is found to be infective in the tropical forests of central and West Africa for a long time. Currently, this virus has spread outdoors from central and west Africa and has reached the United States of America, the UK, Canada, Australia, and some other European countries due to international travel or imported animals. According to WHO, the most infected countries are Spain and UK.
What is Monkeypox?
This virus belongs to the genus orthopoxvirus and the Poxviridae family, which contains other viral species that target mammals. Since the monkeypox virus belongs to poxvirus, it falls in the same family as the variola virus, which caused smallpox before it was eradicated globally in 1980. This disease is viral zoonosis, which means that the virus is transmitted to humans from animals. However, the Monkeypox virus causes the disease in both humans and animals.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
Surprisingly the symptoms of this disease are very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox.
Symptoms of Monkeypox start with:
1. Headache
2. Fever
3. Backache
4. Muscle aches
5. Chills
6. Exhaustion
8. Swollen lymph nodes
Difference between monkeypox and smallpox:
Monkeypox is very much similar to smallpox. The only difference between the two is one of the symptoms of monkeypox which is different from smallpox. Monkeypox causes lymphadenopathy, which is the swelling of the lymph nodes, this symptom is not present in smallpox. Within 1 – 3 days fever starts, after that red spot appears on the mouth and face, then spreads to the arms and legs. Over four to five days, the spots turn into small fluid-filled blisters that are tender to touch and they eventually become doughnut-shaped and begin to crust over by two-week.
Transmission of the virus
The monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another through:
* Close contact with the person with lesions,
* Body fluids,
* Respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.
Monkeypox virus can spread through contact with an infected person. In the case of animal-to-human contact, the human being can become infected by a bite or scratch from an infected animal, getting into close contact with an infected animal’s bedding, meat, body fluids, etc. This monkeypox virus enters the body through the nose and mouth of the patient. The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can deviate from 5 to 21 days.
Diagnosis of Monkeypox
For the proper diagnosis of Monkeypox, the differential diagnosis must be considered for other rash illnesses, such as chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, syphilis, and medication-associated allergies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of samples from skin lesions is the preferred laboratory test. To interpret test results information is required on the date of onset of fever, date of onset of rash, date of specimen collection, current stage of rash, and age of the patient.
Treatment of Monkeypox
The most commonly prescribed medicine for monkeypox is the same given for the smallpox virus. It is suggested and quite evident that the smallpox vaccine is a big-time help for preventing monkeypox infections, the smallpox vaccine also decreases the severity of the symptoms. Supportive care is also recommended for these types of viral diseases which include antipyretic, fluid balance, and oxygenation.
According to Prof Raina MacIntyre, who is in charge of the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute, advised that the outbreak of Monkeypox is mainly due to diminished immunity from smallpox vaccination as according to WHO it has been eradicated so since mass vaccination against the disease is now discontinued. Most people recover fully within a month from this disease but in some cases, it can be fatal. The exact mortality rate is unknown, but it is thought to be between 1-10%. According to WHO’s investigative report, children and pregnant women are at higher risk, which may lead to complications, congenital monkeypox, or stillbirth.
Precautions
· Maintain hygiene
· Avoid physical contact with the suspected person
· Report to your medical care immediately as soon as the symptoms appear
· Avoid coughing in open
· Wear mask
· Cover blisters or injuries on the skin
· Always wash hands
· Remain isolated when blisters appear on your skin
On behalf of NAYS-Pakistan, we would like to spread awareness to the masses about this virus and the consequences it is causing. Although monkeypox is not fatal in most cases but it is advisable for everyone to protect themselves through preventive measures because every disease is a cause of concern whether it’s fatal or not.
Article: Ms. Sundeela Fayyaz
Chief coordinator
National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) Pakistan,