Amid growing concern over the spread of monkeypox infections, experts around the world are working to control the transmission chains and try to curb the unusual outbreak.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 550 cases of monkeypox have been reported worldwide as of May 31, in countries such as the United Kingdom, USA, Spain, Portugal and Canada.
The disease is relatively rare and there are no clear links between some of the infections, which raises concerns about the spread of the community and undetected cases.
Speaking at a press conference in June, the head of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that “the sudden appearance of smallpox in many countries at the same time suggests that there may be undetected transmission during some time “.
Due to the unexpected nature of the current outbreak, there are still many unknowns about the disease, including exactly how it is spreading and whether the suspension of mass smallpox immunization decades ago may be somehow accelerating its spread. transmission.
CTVNews.ca asked the experts for some of our readers; frequently asked questions, to help separate facts from fiction when it comes to monkeypox.
IF I WAS VACCINATED VACCINE AS A CHILD, ARE I PROTECTED AGAINST VACCINE? AND CHICKENS?
First discovered in 1958, smallpox is a rare disease in the genus Orthopoxvirus that belongs to the same family as smallpox.
Despite the similar name, Dr. Stephen Hoption Cann, a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia, says that chickenpox is a type of herpes virus that is not related to chickenpox.
“If you had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, you are not protected from chickenpox,” he told CTVNews.ca by email on May 31.
There is no proven treatment for the virus infection, but as they are related, it is known that the smallpox vaccine also protects against smallpox, with an effectiveness of over 85%. But because the smallpox vaccine eradicated the disease, routine smallpox immunization for the general population ended in Canada in 1972.
Hoption Cann said this means any Canadian who was vaccinated against smallpox was inoculated more than 50 years ago.
“After 50 years or more, this vaccine is unlikely to offer much protection against this disease,” he said.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said at a news conference on May 27 that it is focusing on a “targeted approach to vaccination and treatment” for high-risk groups in the midst of current monkeypox outbreak, and does not believe a massive vaccination. Campaign is currently required.
HOW DOES THE MONKEY POLE CARE FOR HUMANS? CAN I GET IT FROM SURFACES?
According to the WHO, smallpox is transmitted by close contact with an infected animal, human or contaminated material. Transmission between people is thought to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets, which generally do not travel far and would require prolonged close contact.
The virus can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, as well as through contact with infected materials and surfaces. The transmission of an animal can be through bites or scratches, contact with the blood or body fluids of an animal.
However, Hoption Cann noted that monkeypox “is not an easily transmitted disease like COVID-19” and requires prolonged contact with an infected person or their material for transmission.
“If you took care of a person who had the disease, where the virus would be found on their skin, clothes and bedding, in this situation it could be transmitted by direct contact,” he said.
If cases escalate further in Canada, Toronto emergency physician Dr. Kashif Pirzada told CTVNews.ca in a June 1 telephone interview that health officials should re-emphasize the cleanliness of surfaces to help mitigate public risk, similar to the approach to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WHO has said it does not expect the hundreds of cases reported so far to turn into another pandemic, but has acknowledged that there are still many unknowns about the disease, including the method of transmission.
CAN DOMESTIC PETS MAKE THE VIRUS AND TRANSMIT IT TO HUMANS?
Smallpox is endemic in animals from West African regions, and although cases have been reported before in countries where it is not endemic, cases usually involve people who have recently traveled from an African country or have imported animals from this country.
The disease was first found in monkey colonies used for research, but has been shown to spread to a “variety of mammal species,” according to Hoption Cann, mainly rodents, but also prey dogs. .
“It is unknown if it can specifically infect pets, but no animal infections have been reported in the current outbreak,” he said.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE MONKEYPOX? WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The symptoms of smallpox are similar to those of smallpox, but usually milder. The first signs are fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, chills and exhaustion.
The incubation period (the time between the initial infection and the onset of symptoms) for monkeypox is usually 6 to 13 days, but can be as long as 21 days, according to PHAC.
The “smallpox” develops after the onset of the fever and usually appears between one and three days later, sometimes more. A rash usually begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, developing into various high bumps that then fill with fluid or pus.
DO SMOKE INJURIES LEFT SCARS?
Hoption Cann pointed out that scarring may occur due to injuries left by the monkey’s smallpox, especially if they get caught or have fluid inside.
“The younger you are, the more likely you are to heal your skin without leaving a scar. For those with darker skin, the scabs may fall off leaving areas of hypopigmentation,” he said.
However, Pirzada said the lesions may seem “very subtle” to some and warned that you pay attention to even the smallest changes in your skin. He said the injuries can also be painful for some patients.
“It may not be all over the body, it may just be at some point here and there,” he said.
HOW CAN PEOPLE PROTECT THEMSELVES?
Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy director of public health, told a news conference on May 27 that Canadians should be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox and seek medical attention, especially if they have an unexplained rash.
He added that people can prevent the infection by “keeping physical distance from people away from home”.
“Also, wearing masks, covering up for coughing and sneezing, and frequent hand washing is still important, especially in public spaces,” Njoo said.
While the overall risk of smallpox for the general public is low, experts say it’s important to remember that everyone is susceptible, although most cases in Canada and others seem to be transmitted through sexual contact between men.
With that in mind, it may be prudent for people to limit their number of sexual partners until more is known about the outbreak.
“If your city has a big monkey pox outbreak … you’d be very careful with sexual encounters,” he said.
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