ShashwatTwo years passed since the Corona Pandemic’s cloud of darkness spread all over the world – people were shut down into their own houses. No work. No meetings. No outskirt adventures. Just staying home with your family.
Two years of fighting, focusing and figuring out the pandemic. Two years of hospitals, deaths, heart rate monitors and oxygen levels.
And just as people started to live with it – to take their doses – to restart life as much can be – came the news on a channel – a news about “the Monkeypox Outbreak“.
In today’s post, we talk about the Monkeypox, how it came to be, it’s symptoms, treatment and everything else you need to know about it.
What do you think? Can it be the next pandemic? Comment down below!
Table of Contents
What is Monkeypox?
The important thing to know before anything else is that Monkeypox isn’t a new name in the disease world – it was first discovered in 1970 in Congo. But it had to be in 2022 – that it became a world-renowned virus outbreak.
Why Now? Because ….
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is similar to smallpox. The disease is found mainly in Africa, where it usually infects monkeys and other wild animals. Occasionally, the virus spreads to humans and can cause a serious illness.
Monkeypox is similar to smallpox in terms of symptoms and treatment, but it is usually less severe. Most people who contract the virus recover within a few weeks without any long-term effects. In rare cases, however, the disease can be deadly.
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but the virus can be prevented with a smallpox vaccine. The vaccine is not 100% effective, but it can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
The symptoms of Monkeypox
As said earlier, the monkeypox basically consists of similar symptoms just like in the case of a smallpox. Some of them are : –
- Intense Headache
- Fever
- Exhaustion
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches
- Lesions
- Backache
- Chills
- Rashes
The symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headaches, backache, and chills. A rash then develops, starting on the face and eventually spreading to the rest of the body. The rash consists of smallpox-like bumps that fill with pus and eventually scab over. Monkeypox is typically milder than smallpox, but it can still be deadly in some cases – when it spreads into becoming a viral monkeypox outbreak.
The origins of the Monkeypox virus
The first ever monkeypox-esque virus case came back in the 1958 when two outbreaks of similar kind related to smallpox occurred in a group of monkeys that were used for research.
It was something that was never been observed before and was later named as “monkeypox”. The real source of the virus is still unknown.
All that was observed and found was that the source might not be registered but the virus would spread through African rodents and primates.
It was later in 1970 that the first known monkeypox viral infection was found on a human being.
It was found that it could spread from skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, infected rodents, etc.
But the thing is, even after knowing about this disease, the western side of the world did not consider it something of concern. It was often referred as an “African Disease” – which it is not. The first infection was actually found out about in a lab in Copenhagen, Denmark – not Africa.
The disease has all this time been in parts of Africa and no body cared. As a few scientists stated – it was a phenomenon of “not in my backyard” kind of thing. Where you do not care about it unless it happens to you. That’s pretty human, right? Flawed, yes – but that’s what humans are.
It was only in 2022 May, about 2 months earlier – that someone caught this virus in Europe and the news spread all over the world about it. That is when people started to notice. Then the world knew about the monkeypox global emergency.
How is Monkeypox spread?
The monkeypox outbreak can spread from one individual to another through direct contact with the irresistible rash, scabs, or body liquids. It additionally can be spread by respiratory discharges during delayed, up close and personal contact, or during cozy actual contact.
- It is typically spread through contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, rats, and squirrels.
- The virus can also be spread to humans through contact with infected body fluids or objects that have been contaminated with the virus.
- In some cases, the virus can be spread through the air, particularly in crowded areas.
- Once a person is infected with monkeypox, the virus will incubate for about two weeks before causing symptoms.
Monkeypox can be deadly in some cases, particularly to young children and people with weakened immune systems.
As per the health experts there are several stages of the spreading of Monkeypox –
| Prodromal phase | Lasts up to 5 days | fever, headache, lymph nodes swelling, backpain, fatigue |
| Rash | Lasts up to 2 weeks | skin eruption, painful & itchy rashes appear on body |
| LesionsĀ | Lasts up to 3 weeks | circumscribed, deep seated, and often develop umbilication |
Treatment for Monkeypox
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox outbreak, but there are some steps that can be taken to relieve symptoms and make the disease less severe.
- Avoid contact with infected animals (mainly sick animals)
- Avoid contact with bedding or other objects that might be contaminated
- Minutely cook food that includes animal meat or parts
- Wash hands with soap – frequently
- Avoid human contact with infected people
- Wear a Mask and cover your mouth especially when around a lot of people (corona vibes?)
Treatment focuses on supportive care, such as hydration and pain relief. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
The global response to the outbreak
As said earlier, the western world or other parts of the world did not bat an eye until the virus led to an outbreak this May 2022.
When that happened, just as the dust seemed to settle from corona, people started to panic. Researches started to get to know about this new virus that was spreading first in UK, then parts of Western Europe – and recently now in India as well.
As of now, India has recorded almost 4-5 monkeypox infected cases from Kerala, New Delhi and Telangana as well.
Having the symptoms much similar to the deadly Covid19, people have started panicking more than ever. Although as per many reports, the virus is said to be much less deadlier with very rare cases of deaths.
Recently, WHO has declared a monkeypox global emergency over the outbreak and stated it to be considered as the “highest level of alert.”
US officials have stated that we need to make a coordinated global level strategy to deal with the rapid spread of the new virus and not take it lightly – like we did with Covid-19.
It has been advised for everyone to take necessary precautions and officials around the world have started to make plans to protect the infected and tend to groups or communities with higher possibility to catch the virus.
What can be done to prevent Monkeypox?
Same precautions need to be taken by everyone which we used to do during the highest level of Covid cases – mask, distancing, staying away from large groups or crowds of people, trying and eat healthy at cleaner places, etc.
Vaccination for booster shot for Smallpox and Monkeypox (MPXV). Doctor with vial of the doses vaccine for Monkeypox (MPXV) disease
If you happen to be somewhere around Central or Western parts of the African Continent, keep away from rodent-prone zones and primates as well.
Avoid sick or dead animals at all costs. Also, clean your surroundings and do not touch materials that might be or seem infected at all costs.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to forestall both smallpox and monkeypox. Immunization safeguards against monkeypox when given previously or not long after an openness.
To wrap things up
In conclusion, the monkeypox outbreak is a serious situation that requires the attention of the global community. To stay up-to-date on the latest information, follow us on social media and share this article with your network.
That’s All Folks!
