Photo credit: Wikipedia
Threat to human existence has been threaten from time past up until now, but Humans have always find ways around the threat. But as one problem get solved or is in the process of being solved, another pops up. All thanks to science for bring us information on how best to prevent ourselves from various infections. The recent outbreak of an infectious disease called "MONKEY POX" in Bayelsa state Nigeria has prompted me to do a little research on the disease, with the aim of sensitizing as much people willing to read through as possible on the prevention and information on the deadly disease.
Monkey pox is an infectious disease caused by the monkey pox virus. The disease is indigenous to Central and West Africa. An outbreak that occurred in the United States in 2003 was traced to a pet store where imported Gambian pouched rats were sold.
The disease was first identified in laboratory monkeys, hence its name, but in its natural state it seems to infect rodents more often than primates. Monkey pox is usually transmitted to humans from rodents, pets, and primates through contact with the animal's blood or through a bite.
Major facts on monkey pox
Double stranded DNA virus (Zoonotic) Family poxviridae, Genus orthopoxvirus Family of pox viruses includes other viruses like chicken pox or the eradicated small pox.
History 1958
First identified in laboratory monkey kept for research 1970: First human case was identified in DR Congo.
First isolation in nature in 1985, in an ailing rope squirrel in DR Congo 2003: First human infection outside Africa documented in USA
Transmission
Transmission From infected animals or humans Following contact with body fluids/materials of animals or infected humans Following bite, scratch or even bush meat preparation Entry via broken skin or mucosa (skin, respiratory tract, mucus membrane eye, nose, mouth). Shared utensils, bed, room etc increase risk of transmission
Life-cycle
Incubation period 7-14 days commonly but could extend from 5 to 21 days.
Signs and symptoms
Similar to small pox but milder Fever, chills, drenching night sweats, headache Muscles aches (backache), Exhaustion-Lymph-nodes swell up (absent in small pox)
Case definition A
Designed to detect single cases followed by immediate response and control efforts. - Fever followed by rash (vesicular/pustular) with rash on palm, soles and face or 5 various-like scars B: Designed for use in the context of disease surveillance to elaborate on burden in endemic areas - Individual with vesicular/pustular eruptions with at least one of the symptoms: fever preceding eruptions, lymphadenopathy and/or pustules/crust on the palms of the hands or sole of the feet 7. After 1-10 days
Centrifugal rash
Rash macule-papule-vesicles-pustules-umbilical-then crusted (scab)
Case fatality -1-10% die from this infection
Prevention Small pox vaccine (for at risk workers) which can be given up to 14 days post exposure Hygiene (Hand washing) with soap and water or alcohol based sanitizer Avoid ill or dead animals’ suspects or their materials Isolation of suspects or identified cases Use personal protective equipment when caring for patients (for health workers)
Treatment and vaccine
There are no specific treatments or vaccines available for monkeypox infection, but outbreaks can be controlled. Vaccination against smallpox has been proven to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox in the past but the vaccine is no longer available to the general public after it was discontinued following global smallpox eradication.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/1128905-10-major-facts-monkeypox-virus.html#1128905