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Health & Medicine
Mahesh

23/05/22 22:22 PM IST

Monkeypox

In News 
  • The World Health Organization (WHO)  warned that there will be more cases of monkeypox as it expands surveillance in countries where the disease is not typically found.
MonkeyPox 
  • Monkeypox is a rare viral infection similar to human smallpox and was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys kept for research.
  • The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970.
  • The disease occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
  • The virus belongs to the family Poxviridae, which also includes the viruses causing smallpox and cowpox disease.
Symptoms 
  • Monkeypox typically presents itself with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
  • The disease is usually self-limiting with the symptoms lasting from two to four weeks. Severe cases can also occur.
  • In recent times, the case fatality ratio has reportedly been around 3-6 per cent but can be up to 10 per cent. There are no reported deaths in this current spread.
Transmission
  • Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. It is said to be spread by rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels.
  • The disease is transmitted through lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding. The virus is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness.
  • Health officials, however, have also noted that some of these infections may be transmitted through sexual contact. 
Treatment 
  • Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox.
  • Newer vaccines have been developed of which one has been approved for prevention of the disease. An antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox

Source- Indian Express

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