Human outbreaks of monkeypox, or monkeypox , an infection caused by a virus, have been identified in recent weeks. Although its exact origin is unknown, it is a known virus and precautions can be taken to prevent it from spreading among the population.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox, better known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by a virus of the Poxviridae family, the Orthopoxvirus . This virus is similar to the virus that causes smallpox in humans ( Variola ) and cowpox. In this family of viruses we also find the Vaccinia virus that was used to create the smallpox vaccine, thanks to its resemblance.
Like all these viruses, the monkeypox virus (“Monkeypox” in English) has similar characteristics, both in its structure and in the symptoms it generates. This virus is zoonotic, which means that its natural reservoir is in animals .
Among the most common animals we find rats , squirrels and other rodents, although the main reservoir has not yet been identified. However, this virus has the ability to infect monkeys and humans through direct contact with these animals.
The first case of monkeypox was identified in 1958 in monkey colonies where research was taking place. Years later, in 1970 , the first case of this smallpox in humans was found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
To date, several outbreaks of this disease have been documented in different parts of the world , although the most worrying focus has always been in Africa . In some regions of this continent, cases have been growing in recent decades, even presenting a health concern.
What symptoms does monkeypox have?
The symptoms of monkeypox can be mild and in many cases it becomes an asymptomatic disease. In humans, the most common symptoms during the first few days are fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, chills, and swollen lymph nodes .
Shortly after presenting some or several of these symptoms, welts or rashes may appear on the skin, which “spread” from the face to the rest of the body. This eruption first appears as papules that turn into vesicles and finally into pustules .
These lesions end up forming a scab that falls off naturally between two and four weeks after the onset of the disease. Although most occur without complications , in some cases it can be fatal , especially in populations with other infections or diseases that compromise the proper functioning of the immune system.
How is monkeypox spread?
Transmission from animals to monkeys or humans occurs through close contact , either through a wound, a bite, bodily fluids, or indirect contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus.
Human-to- human transmission has also been identified via the respiratory route only after prolonged close contact, although it is most likely through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids or injuries .
In recent weeks, at least seven cases have been identified between May 6 and May 15 in the United Kingdom . Recently, several possible cases have also been identified in Madrid , and although they have not been confirmed with microbiological tests, they seem to fit with monkeypox.
How is monkeypox cured?
Today, there is no cure for this disease . However, it is known that the smallpox vaccine can prevent monkeypox. Also, antiviral treatments can help control the infection.
In this situation, a good strategy is prevention . In general terms, avoid direct contact with animals or people infected with this virus, in addition to isolating infected patients to avoid contagion.
There is also an attenuated monkeypox virus vaccine that has been approved by the United States FDA, where it is used among health workers who are exposed to these cases to prevent the disease.
Although this disease is rare and not usually fatal in most cases in healthy individuals, it can present a health hazard if outbreaks are not controlled. Some scientists propose to implement smallpox vaccination campaigns in countries where monkeypox is endemic and on the rise.
With the number of suspected and confirmed cases in Madrid and London, it is advisable to take precautions to control outbreaks and to keep infections to a minimum. As always, from here we recommend consulting your doctor if you have any symptoms or if you have any doubts about this disease.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Monkeypox. Nov 17, 2021.
GOV.UK. Monkeypox cases confirmed in England – latest updates. 16 May 2022.
Grosenbach et al. 2011. Development of the small-molecule antiviral ST-246® as a smallpox therapeutic. Future Virol. doi: 10.2217/fvl.11.27
Queen and Queen. 2018. Should we start worrying about monkeypox? Clinical Medicine. Editorial. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2018.03.025
