This Saturday, the World Health Organization (WHO) . Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the health agency, noted that the outbreak has continued to grow and there are now more than 16,000 cases reported in 75 countries and territories.
Given this, it is important that the population is alert and knows how this disease spreads.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox spreads in several ways. Viruses can be spread from one person to another through the following:
- Direct contact with the rash, scabs, or infectious body fluids.
- Respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sexual intercourse.
- Contact with items (such as clothing or bedding) that previously came into contact with the rash or infectious body fluids.
- Pregnant people can transmit the virus to the fetus through the placenta.
The US health agency adds that it is possible for people to contract monkeypox from infected animals, either by receiving a scratch or bite from the animal, or by preparing or eating meat from an infected animal or using products derived from an infected animal. .
The disease usually lasts two to four weeks and “can be transmitted from the time symptoms begin until the rash has completely healed and a new layer of skin has formed,” the agency says.
How to protect myself from contagion?
If you know someone suspected of having monkeypox, it is recommended to limit contact, mainly with the person’s skin, and wear a mask and gloves if living together is necessary. In addition, it is necessary to wash your hands constantly with water, soap or antibacterial gene.
You should also avoid sharing objects for personal use and wash towels, sheets, clothes, cutlery or other utensils that have been in contact with the person suspected of having contracted the disease separately with warm water.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Intense headache
- Muscle pains
- Back pain
- little energy
- swollen lymph nodes
- Rashes or lesions on the skin
If you suspect that someone or you have contracted monkeypox, the UN recommends contacting your GP immediately for advice, testing and medical attention.
What is monkeypox?
The UN describes it as “a disease caused by a virus, which is known as monkeypox.
It is a zoonotic viral disease, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread from person to person. Interestingly, the disease is so named because it was detected in several apes in a laboratory in 1958. However, most of the animals susceptible to contracting the disease and then infecting people are rodents, such as Gambian giant rats, dormouse or prairie dogs.
