What is monkeypox?Microbiologists explain what is known about this smallpox cousin

((((conversation) – May 18, 2022, Massachusetts Health Authority And that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention We have identified a case of monkeypox in a patient who recently traveled to Canada.There is also a case Reported in the UK and Europe..

Monkeypox is not a new disease.The The first confirmed human case was 1970, When the virus was isolated from a child suspected of having smallpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Monkeypox is unlikely to cause another pandemic, With COVID-19 in mind, The fear of another outbreak is understandable. Although rare and usually mild, monkeypox can still cause serious illness. Health officials are concerned that more trips will result in more cases.

I am a researcher who worked at Public Health and Medical Research Institute For over 30 years, especially in the field of animal-derived diseases. What exactly is happening in the current outbreak, and what does history teach us about monkeypox?

Smallpox cousin

Monkeypox Caused by the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to a subset of the poxvirus family of viruses called orthopoxviruses. This subset includes smallpox. Vaccinia Cowpox virus.While Animal storage of monkeypox virus unknown, African rodents are suspected to be involved in the transmission. The monkeypox virus has been isolated only twice from animals in nature. Diagnostic test for monkeypox Currently only available in Lab Response Network Labs in the United States and around the world.

The name “monkeypox” is First documented case A 1958 animal disease report with two outbreaks in monkeys kept for research. but, The virus did not jump From monkeys to humans, and monkeys are not the major carriers of this disease.

Epidemiology

Since the first reported human case, monkeypox has been Several other Central and West African countries, Most of the DRC infections. Non-African incidents relate to overseas travel and imported animals, including the United States. Elsewhere..

The The first case of monkeypox reported in the United States It was from an outbreak in Texas related to the shipment of animals from Ghana in 2003.There were also travel-related cases November and July 2021 In Maryland.

Since monkeypox is closely related to smallpox, the smallpox vaccine is Provide protection Against infection from both viruses. However, because smallpox was officially eradicated, Regular smallpox vaccination The general population of the United States was suspended in 1972.For this reason, monkeypox More and more appeared For people who have not been vaccinated.

Infection; Infection

Virus is possible send Through contact with infected people or animals, or contaminated surfaces. The virus usually enters the body through skin damage, inhalation, or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Researchers believe that human-to-human transmission is primarily due to inhalation of large respiratory droplets, rather than direct contact with body fluids or indirect contact through clothing.The human-to-human transmission rate of monkeypox is exclusive..

Health authorities I am worried that the virus is now spreading undetected through community infections, perhaps through new mechanisms and routes. We are still investigating where and how the infection is occurring.

Signs and symptoms

After the virus enters the body, it Duplicate and spread Through the bloodstream, through the body. Symptoms usually do not appear until 1-2 weeks after infection.

Monkeypox causes skin lesions like smallpox, Symptoms It is usually milder than smallpox. Flu-like symptoms are common at first, from fever and headaches to shortness of breath. After 1-10 days, a rash may appear on the limbs, head, or torso and eventually turn into pus-filled blisters. Overall, symptoms usually last 2-4 weeks, but skin lesions usually become scabs in 14-21 days.

Monkeypox is rare and usually not fatal, One version Illness death About 10% of infected people.. The morphology of the virus currently prevalent is milder and the mortality rate is thought to be less than 1%.

Vaccines and treatments

Treatment of monkeypox The main focus is on symptom relief. According to the CDC, there is no cure for monkeypox infection. Since smallpox is closely associated with monkeypox, the smallpox vaccine can prevent both diseases.

Evidence suggests that smallpox vaccines may help prevent monkeypox infection and reduce the severity of symptoms.One vaccine known as Imvamune or Imvanex It is licensed in the United States to prevent monkeypox and smallpox.

Vaccination after exposure to the virus may also help reduce the likelihood of serious illness. The CDC currently recommends smallpox vaccination only for those who have been or may be exposed to monkeypox. People with immunodeficiency The risk is high.