FIRST came Covid, then a mysterious epidemic of hepatitis among children and now monkeypox.
This is the latest health threat, which causes chills in our spines, as words like “isolation” raise their ugly heads again.
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Monkeypox is the latest health threat that causes chills in our spine
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Watch out for these seven symptoms
Smallpox is a rare viral disease commonly found in parts of Central and West Africa, found in a monkey colony in 1958 and later in humans in 1970.
On May 7, the UK Health Security Agency announced the discovery of a case of a patient traveling to the UK from Nigeria.
Since then, cases have increased in the community and more than 300 cases outside Africa, according to the World Health Organization.
More than 100 of these cases have been found in the United Kingdom, with one child ending up in intensive care and infections confirmed in Europe and the United States, among others.
Dr Susan Hopkins, UKHSA’s Chief Medical Adviser, said: “We continue to detect new cases of monkeypox in a timely manner through our extensive NHS surveillance network and services.
“If someone suspects that they have a rash or lesion on any part of their body, especially if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with others and contact NHS 111 or the local sexual health service as possible. as soon as possible, although call in advance before attending in person. ”
So what is monkeypox, who is at risk, and why do young men make up the majority of cases so far?
We asked Dr. Amr Bayumi, a virologist at the University of Coventry, to share everything you need to know.
WHAT IS THE MONKEY STAR?
Like the coronavirus, monkeypox is what is known as a zoonotic virus – meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
“The clinical symptoms are similar to those seen in the past in patients with smallpox,” said Dr. Amr. “But while monkeypox is genetically similar to smallpox, it is less severe.”
Monkeypox is endemic in parts of Africa, which simply means that it is present all the time and accounts for about 9,000 cases a year.
There are two strains, one from West Africa and most likely the one causing the global epidemic and the other from the Congo, which is more deadly.
WHY IS IT CALLED A MONKEY STAR?
The name suggests it originated in apes, but scientists can’t be sure. What they know is where he was first identified.
Dr Amr said: “Monkeypox was first isolated from laboratory monkeys in 1958, hence the name. However, the natural host is thought to be rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels, not monkeys.
In the 1970s, not after the virus was discovered, it was first discovered in humans.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM AFFECTED?
The good news is that in most cases, monkeypox is a mild disease and clears up on its own.
Symptoms begin between five and 21 days after a person is infected and can be mistaken for the flu. Dr Amr told Fab Daily: “Clinical symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches.
“Skin rashes usually start within one to three days after a fever. Symptoms can last for two to four weeks, and in most cases the person usually recovers.
“However, severe cases can occur in children and people with compromised immune systems.”
CAN PEOPLE DIE?
It is called the “cousin” of smallpox, which is enough to inspire fear, because smallpox killed millions before being eradicated in the 1980s thanks to vaccines.
However, monkeypox is less severe and less deadly. Dr Amr said: “Deaths are between three and six per cent, with deaths being higher in young children. This is for the Congo strain, the mortality rate for the West African strain is estimated at about one percent.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I BE?
Monkeypox is “not another Covid,” says Dr. Amr soothingly.
Unlike Covid, this virus does not spread or mutate as quickly.
And Dr. Amr says that human transmission is “inefficient,” with most people transmitting it to less than one other person, which means that his R grade is less than one.
“Transmission requires prolonged direct contact with an infected individual or his or her recently infected objects,” says Dr. Amr.
“The coronavirus is transmitted by inhaling contaminated droplets.”
HOW DOES IT DISTRIBUTE?
In most cases, a person becomes infected after contact with an infected animal, but it can also be transmitted through close contact with a person who appears to be the main source of the outbreak.
Dr. Amr explains that this can happen if you touch the skin lesions of an infected person or objects that are contaminated, “such as bed linen, towels or clothes.”
IS IT COMPLETELY GIVEN?
It is believed that the MONKEY GOD is not sexually transmitted in the traditional sense. But it can be transmitted through sexual contact.
You are contagious with the disease until the scabs that form on the rash fall off. The World Health Organization (WHO) says more research is needed to “better understand” whether it can be spread through sex through semen and vaginal fluid.
WHO IS AT THE BIGGEST RISK?
EVERYONE who comes into close contact with an infected person is most at risk.
If you have recently traveled to West or Central Africa, you are also considered more risky. But overall, Dr. Amr says younger people are more likely to catch him.
“People under the age of 40 to 50 (depending on the country they live in) may be more vulnerable due to the end of global vaccination campaigns against smallpox in the 1980s,” he said.
UK health officials have warned that a disproportionate number of cases have been reported so far in gays and bisexual men.
That doesn’t mean it’s a “gay disease,” TV doctor Ranj Singh told Attitude Magazine. Dr Ranj said that men who have sex with men (MSM) are not guilty, but it may be that the first cases were found in MSM networks.
“This community needs to be on high alert,” he added.
The WHO added that the cases of gay and bisexual men may be “due to positive health-seeking behavior in this demographic group”, as many cases have been found in sexual health clinics.
The WHO added: “Anyone who has close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk, regardless of who they choose to have sex with or another factor.
“Stigmatizing people due to illness is unacceptable.”
ARE MY CHILDREN AT RISK?
A child in the United Kingdom has been in intensive care for monkeypox.
Officials say there are four groups at risk of serious illness: newborns, children, people with weakened immune systems and health workers. Seek help if you are worried about your child.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY?
IF you know someone with monkeypox, avoid close contact.
The government says anyone with direct or domestic contact with a confirmed case should be isolated for 21 days.
Dr Amr says: “Avoid sharing bed linen, towels or clothes. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid contact with domestic rodents that may have monkeypox.
“In 2003, the first outbreak outside of Africa was associated with domestic prairie dogs, a squirrel.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE?
Dr Amr says: “Contact the NHS or your GP. Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people until they tell you what to do. ”
IS THERE A VACCINE?
The short answer is yes. Studies show that the smallpox vaccine is about 85% effective against monkeypox.
“The smallpox vaccine is no longer available to the general public,” said Dr. Amr. “But previous smallpox vaccinations can lead to a milder disease.”
The government has amassed doses and close contacts of confirmed patients are embarking on a strategy known as “ring vaccination”. Dr Amr said: “Everyone who has been exposed to a patient gets the vaccine.
“Ring vaccination requires full and rapid monitoring and epidemiological investigation of the case.”
This strategy has worked in previous outbreaks of monkeypox.
CAN IT BE TREATED?
An antiviral drug known as tecovirimate has been shown to reduce the duration of symptoms and infectivity.
It was licensed for monkeypox in Europe in 2022, but Dr Amr says it is not yet widely available.
Most people recover on their own without serious complications.
Dr Amr added: “The authorities are not powerless against monkeypox. We already have the tools – vaccines and medicines – to control infections. “
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The incidence is increasing in the community and more than 300 outside Africa, according to the World Health Organization
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Symptoms can last for two to four weeks and in most cases the person usually recovers
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An antiviral drug known as tecovirimate has been shown to reduce the duration of symptoms and infectivity, but is not yet widely available.
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Dr. Amr Bayumi is a virologist at Coventry University
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