Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease caused by monkeypox virus. The disease was first identified in laboratory monkeys, giving it its name. The disease is most prevalent in Central and West Africa, but an outbreak occurred also in the United States in 2003 Monkeypox can be difficult to distinguish from mild smallpox and chickenpox
It is a rare viral disease that occurs mostly in central and western Africa. It is called “monkeypox” because it was first found in 1958 in laboratory monkeys. Blood tests of animals in Africa later found that other types of animals probably had monkeypox. Scientists also recovered the virus that causes monkeypox from an African squirrel. These types of squirrels might be the common host for the disease. Rats, mice, and rabbits can get monkeypox, too. Monkeypox was reported in humans for the first time in 1970.
It is a zoonotic viral disease that occurs primarily in remote villages of Central and West Africa in proximity to tropical rainforests where there is more frequent contact with infected animals. Monkeypox is usually transmitted to humans from rodents, pets, and primates through contact with the animal's blood or through a bite.
Causes of monkeypox:
The monkeypox virus is transmitted to humans through an infected animal's blood, body sores, or bite; or through handling an infected animal's bedding or cage. Initial symptoms of monkeypox in humans include fever, a bodywide rash (exanthem) of pus-filled blisters, and flu-like muscle aches and fatigue. These symptoms can be accompanied by diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, a sore throat, and mouth sores. In some cases, a victim may experience trouble breathing. Symptoms are at their worst for 3-7 days, after which the fever lessens and blisters begin to form crusts.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
In humans, the signs and symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox, but they are usually milder. Monkeypox causes fever, headache, backache, swollen lymph nodes (not usually seen in smallpox), sore throat, and cough.
One to three days after the onset of fever, a blisterlike rash usually appears first on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body. The blisters go through several stages before they get crusty, scab over and fall off. The illness usually lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. In rare cases, monkeypox can cause death.
Mode of transmission of monkeypox in humans
People can get monkeypox from an infected animal through a bite or direct contact with the infected animal's blood, body fluids, or rash. The disease also can be spread from person to person, but it is much less infectious than smallpox. The virus is thought to be transmitted by large respiratory droplets during direct and prolonged face-to-face contact. In addition, monkeypox can be spread by direct contact with body fluids of an infected person or with virus-contaminated objects, such as bedding or clothing.
Treatment of monkeypox:
Like most viruses, monkeypox cannot be resolved with medication. The only treatment option is symptomatic--that is, patients are made as comfortable as possible. In March 1998, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases reported that an antiviral drug called cidofovir may combat monkeypox infection.
The drug has worked successfully in primates, but further research is needed to determine its effectiveness in humans.
