In recent times, Mpox has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) and more than 17,000 cases and 571 deaths have been reported this year in Africa, 96% of which have been in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
What is Mpox?
Mpox, formerly monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family, which includes variola, cowpox, vaccinia and other viruses.
There are two types (clades) of mpox virus: one that started out in Central Africa, clade I (with subclades Ia & Ib) and one that originated in West Africa, clade II (with subclades IIa & IIb).
The current world outbreak (2022 to 2023) is caused by Clade IIb, a subtype of the less severe West African Clade. Also, there are upsurge outbreak of clades Ia and Ib spreading out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa.
As of August 2024, clade Ib has also been detected beyond Africa.
Signs and Symptoms
Mpox shows signs and symptoms which begin within a week but can start to show signs 1-21 days after exposure. These symptoms last 2-4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
Common symptoms of Mpox are:
-skin rash which can last 2-4 weeks on the face, hands, feet, body, mouth or genitals.
– fever
– sore throat
– headache
– muscle aches
– back pains
– low energy
– swollen lymph nodes
Transmission
Mpox can be spread through the following:
1. Person-to-person
This can be spread through touching, kissing, or sex, or by coming in close contact to someone who has mpox.
2. Animal-to-human
This occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or staff grape during activities such as hunting, skinning, cooking,etc. The animal reservior of the monkeypox virus remains unknown, but small animals such as squirrels and monkeys are susceptible.
3. Contaminated materials such as clothes, bed sheets, needles,towels.
4. During pregnancy or birth, the virus may be passed to the baby. This poses dangers to the newborn baby and often times, can lead to loss of pregnacy, stillbirths, death of the newborn, or even complications for the mother.
Diagnosis and Test
One of the factors that makes identifying Mpox difficult is that, it is similar to other infections such as chickenpox, measles,bacteria skin infections, scabies, syphilis, etc.
It is possible that someone infected with Mpox may also have another sexual transmited infection at the same time, such as syphilis. Also, a child with suspected Mpox may have chickenpox.
As a result, undergoing tests is key for people to do as soon as they can to prevent severe illness. Therefore, it is important to know that the only preferred laboratory test to detect Mpox is Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR).
To achieve this, the diagnostic specimens are taken directly from the rash skin or fluid. This is collected by swabbing. Where there is no rashes, test can be carried out using swabs of the throat or anus.
Treatment and Vaccination
As of now, no approved treatment for Mpox but risk can be reduced through vaccination. Getting an Mpox vaccine can reduce the risks of getting infected.
It is highly recommended for people with high risk of getting mpox, especially during an outbreak.
Among those people are health and care workers, people in the same household close with infected people, people who have multiple sex partners, sex workers of any gender and their customers.
Prevention
1. Avoid skin-to-skin, face-to-face, and mouth-to-skin contact, including sexual contact;
2. Avoid close contact with individuals showing signs of Mpox;
3. Observe personal hygiene by washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer, particularly before and after touching;
4. Wear a mask and cover lesions when around other people until your rash heals;
5. Use saltwater rinses for sores in the mouth;
6. Take warm baths with baking soda for body sores;
7. Do not pop blisters or scratch sores, which can slow healing and even cause sores to become infected;
8. Do not have areas with sores until scrabs have healed and you have new skin underneath;
9. When you observe someone is showing symptoms, ensure there are isolated;
10. Get vaccinated and support the health system.
So, with this educative insight on Mpox, you should be able to identify one when you see the signs. Also, in a situation where those preventive measures have been observed but the symptoms still remain, then you should not hesitate to see your doctor.
Above all, recent developments in the fight against Mpox remind us of the importance of staying informed and vigilant.
Food & Wellbeing2 months ago