Top 8 Mind-blowing Things To Know About MONKEYPOX
Updated: Sep 5, 2022
Monkeypox is an infection that belongs to the same family as smallpox. This can be a scary thought, as smallpox was one of the most dangerous diseases in human history. While it's important to be cautious, some panic is unwarranted as even though monkeypox can pass from human to human, it's fairly easy to contain thanks to vaccination and sanitation.
It is believed that the virus can be transmitted from monkeys to humans. Affected people develop skin rashes and experience pains, fevers, and internal problems like diarrhea. Let's break down the facts about this awful disease and find out the reasons why you should never mistake it for ordinary colds.
The Origin of Monkeypox Virus
In the last few days, the OMS and CDC of the USA and Europe have launched an epidemiologic alert because they had detected new cases of monkeypox in several countries like the USA, French, Spain, UK, Portugal, Belgium, and Italy. Due to this situation, it’s important to explain the most information about this illness.
Viruses that cause monkeypox disease and smallpox disease belong to the same family. In comparison to smallpox, monkeypox cases' symptoms are milder, and it is rarely fatal.
Monkeypox was first reported in humans in 1970. Some central and western African countries had reported monkeypox cases before the outbreak in 2022. In the past, monkeypox cases outside of Africa were almost entirely associated with travel to countries where the disease is common or with the importation of animals from those countries. Multiple continents were affected by these cases.
What is the monkeypox virus?
The current U.S. outbreak has more than 11,800 cases of monkeypox. The virus causes similar symptoms to smallpox, like a rash, fever, and headache. Physical contact with infected individuals transmits the disease, which rarely leads to death.
Monkeypox disease is a rare viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans by animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. African tropical rainforests sporadically experience monkeypox outbreaks in their central and western regions.
People typically become infected after an interaction with an infected animal. It is possible to spread the virus to others after becoming infected, but close contact is required.