Ireland and Mexico confirmed their first cases of smallpox on Saturday, a day after Argentina reported its first case of the disease. Mexican officials said the infected person is a 50-year-old permanent resident of New York City “who was probably infected in the Netherlands.”
More than 300 suspected and confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported this month, a generally mild disease that spreads through close contact, causing flu-like symptoms and a distinctive rash. Most have been in Europe more than in the Central and West African countries where the virus is endemic. No deaths were reported in the current outbreak.
Experts are now pushing for faster action by global health authorities to contain a growing smallpox outbreak that has spread to more than 20 countries. They believe that the World Health Organization (WHO) “should not repeat the first false steps of the Covid-19 pandemic” that delayed the detection of cases, helping the spread of the virus.
General order of onset of monkeypox symptoms
Stage 1: The initial symptoms of monkeypox usually appear after the patient is infected. These symptoms are related to the upper respiratory system and are very similar to the flu. These symptoms include severe fever, aches and pains, headaches and fatigue.
Stage 2: As the body fights these flu-like symptoms, several lymph nodes may begin to appear on the skin.
Stage 3: “‘ Lymphadenopathy ’(or the appearance of lumps) can progress to a rash that is often found on the hands, feet, face, mouth or even the genitals,” experts say.
Stage 4: In the final stage, these rashes usually turn into high bumps or red papules full of painful pus.
How long does monkeypox last?
According to the WHO, monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease and usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. It can be serious in children, pregnant women or people with immunosuppression due to other conditions. The incubation period is usually 6 to 13 days, but can be longer than 5 to 21 days.
(With Reuters, AFP tickets)