Covid came first, then a mysterious outbreak of hepatitis among the children and now the monkey’s smallpox.
It’s the latest health scare that sends chills down our spine, with words like “isolation” raising its ugly head back.
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Smallpox is the latest health scare that causes chills
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Beware of these seven symptoms
Smallpox in monkeys is a rare viral disease typically found in parts of central and western Africa, which was discovered in a colony of monkeys in 1958, and later in humans in 1970.
On 7 May, the UK Health Security Agency announced that a case had been detected in a patient who had traveled to Britain from Nigeria.
Since then, cases have increased, with the spread to the community and more than 300 cases outside Africa, according to the World Health Organization.
More than 100 of these cases have been detected in the UK, with a child who has ended up in intensive care and infections have been confirmed in Europe and the United States, among other countries.
Dr Susan Hopkins, UKHSA’s chief medical adviser, said: “We continue to detect new cases of monkeypox rapidly through our extensive surveillance network and NHS services.
“If someone suspects that they have rashes or injuries on any part of their body, especially if they have recently had a new sexual relationship, they should limit their contact with other people and contact NHS 111 or the local sexual health service. as soon as possible. Please call in advance before attending in person. “
So what is the smallpox of the monkey, who is at risk and why do young men represent the majority of cases so far?
We asked Dr. Amr Bayoumy, a virologist at Coventry University, to share with us everything you need to know.
WHAT IS MONKEYPOX?
Like coronavirus, monkeypox is what is known as a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
“Clinical symptoms are similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients,” says Dr. Amr. “But while smallpox is genetically similar to smallpox, it’s less serious.”
Smallpox is endemic in some parts of Africa, which means that it is constantly present and accounts for about 9,000 cases a year.
There are two strains, one from West Africa and probably the one that caused the global outbreak, and another from the Congo, which is more deadly.
WHY IS IT CALLED MONKEYPOX?
The name suggests that it originated from monkeys, but scientists cannot be sure. What they do know is where they first identified themselves.
Dr. Amr says, “Monkeypox was first isolated from laboratory monkeys in 1958, hence the name. However, the natural host is believed to be rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels, not monkeys.”
In the 1970s, shortly after the virus was discovered, it was first found in humans.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM AFFECTED?
The good news is that in most cases monkeypox is a mild disease and clears up on its own.
Symptoms begin five to 21 days after a person becomes infected and can be mistaken for the flu. Dr Amr tells Fab Daily: “Clinical symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches.
“The rash usually starts between one and three days after the fever. The symptoms can last from two to four weeks and, in most cases, a person will normally recover.
“However, serious cases can be seen in children and people with compromised immune systems.”
CAN PEOPLE DIE?
It has become known as a “cousin” of smallpox, which is enough to instill fear because smallpox killed millions before eradicating it in the 1980s, thanks to vaccines.
However, the monkey’s smallpox is less severe and less deadly. Dr. Amr says, “Mortality is three to six percent, with the highest death toll in young children.” This is for the Congo strain, it is believed that the mortality rate of the West African strain is about 1%.
HOW CAREFUL SHOULD YOU BE?
MONKEYPOX “is not another Covid,” says Dr. Amr, reassuringly.
Unlike Covid, this virus does not spread or mutate as quickly.
And Dr. Amr says that human-to-human transmission is “not efficient,” because most people transmit it to less than one other person, which means their R-rate is less than one.
“Transmission requires prolonged direct contact with an infected person or their newly contaminated objects,” says Dr. Amr.
“The coronavirus is transmitted by breathing contaminated droplets.”
HOW DEEP IS IT?
In most cases, a person becomes infected after coming in contact with an infected animal, but it can also be transmitted through close contact with a person who appears to be the main source of this outbreak.
Dr. Amr explains that this can happen if you touch the skin lesions of an infected person or objects that have contaminated “such as bedding, towels, or clothing.”
IS IT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED?
MONKEYPOX is not believed to be sexually transmitted in the traditional sense. But, it can be transmitted through sexual contact.
You are contagious with the disease until the crusts that form on a rash fall. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said more research is needed to “better understand” whether it could spread through sex through semen and vaginal fluid.
WHO IS THE MAXIMUM RISK?
Anyone who comes in close contact with an infected person is most at risk.
If you have recently traveled to West or Central Africa, you are also at higher risk. But overall, Dr. Amr says younger people are more likely to catch him.
“People under the age of 40 to 50 (depending on the country where they live) may be more susceptible due to the end of smallpox vaccination campaigns worldwide in the 1980s,” he says.
Health officials in the UK have warned that a disproportionate number of cases have been detected in gay and bisexual men so far.
That’s not to say it’s a “gay disease,” TV doctor Ranj Singh told Attitude magazine. Dr. Ranj said men who have sex with men (MSM) are not to blame, but the first cases may have been detected on HSH networks.
“This community should be on greater alert,” he added.
The WHO added that cases in gay and bisexual men could be “due to positive health research behavior in this demographic group,” as many cases have been detected in sexual health clinics.
The WHO added: “Anyone who has close physical contact with anyone who has smallpox is at risk, regardless of who decides to have sex or any other factor.
“Stigmatizing people because of an illness is unacceptable.”
ARE MY CHILDREN AT RISK?
A child in the UK has ended up in intensive care with monkeypox.
The official guide states that there are four groups at risk of serious illness: newborns, children, immunocompromised people, and health care workers. Seek help if your child is concerned.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY?
IF you know someone with smallpox, avoid close contact.
The government says anyone with direct or domestic contact with a confirmed case should be isolated for 21 days.
Dr. Amr says, “Avoid sharing bedding, towels, or clothing. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid contact with pet rodents that may have smallpox. monkey.
“In 2003, the first outbreak in Africa was related to prairie dogs, a type of squirrel.”
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF I THINK YOU HAVE IT?
Dr Amr says: “Contact the NHS or your GP. Stay home and avoid close contact with other people until they tell you what to do.”
IS THERE A VACCINE?
The short answer is yes. Studies have shown that the smallpox vaccine is about 85% effective against the smallpox vaccine.
“The smallpox vaccine is no longer available to the general public,” says Dr. Amr. “But previous smallpox vaccination can lead to a milder disease.”
The government has stored doses and close contacts of confirmed patients are being attacked in a strategy known as “ring vaccination”. Dr. Amr says, “Everyone who has been exposed to a patient gets the vaccine.
“Ring vaccination requires complete and rapid surveillance and investigation of epidemiological cases.”
This strategy has worked for previous outbreaks of smallpox in the monkey.
CAN IT BE TREATED?
An antiviral drug known as tecovirimate has been shown to reduce the duration of symptoms and infection.
It was licensed for monkeypox in Europe in 2022, but Dr. Amr says it is not yet widely available.
Most people recover on their own without serious complications.
Dr. Amr adds: “The authorities are not powerless against monkeypox. We already have the tools (vaccines and medicines) to control infections.”
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Cases are increasing with the spread of the community and more than 300 in total outside Africa, according to the World Health Organization
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Symptoms can last for two to four weeks, and in most cases a person will usually recover
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An antiviral drug known as tecovirimate has been shown to reduce the duration of symptoms and infection, but is not yet widely available.
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Dr. Amr Bayoumy is a virologist at Coventry University