Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
Monkey pox is a rare disease that initially looks like the flu. It can also cause the lymph nodes to become swollen and then develop into a rash involving the face and body. A second case of the disease has just been detected in a Maryland resident who recently returned from a trip to Nigeria.
Monkey pox - what should I know?
Monkey pox belongs to the same family of viruses as true pox and although it tends to lead to a milder infection, the virus can spread from person to person by droplets and through direct contact with, for example, monkey body fluids or contaminated materials such as clothes or bedding.
According to the Maryland Department of He alth (MDH), most monkey pox infections can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. People who have been exposed to direct contact with this variant of smallpox are to be monitored for signs of infection for approximately 3 weeks after exposure.
The CDC asks U.S. he alth care providers to be vigilant for smallpox-like symptoms, especially among travelers returning from Nigeria. Because of the he alth risks associated with a single case of monkey pox, clinicians should immediately report suspected cases to state or local public he alth authorities, whether or not they are also investigating other potential diagnoses.
The CDC has announced that steps have been taken to identify anyone who may have come into contact with the infected man.
Monkey pox infections among humans are rare and occur mainly in Central and West African countries, practically do not occur outside of Africa.
Monkey pox epidemic
The last epidemic of this variety of smallpox in the USA took place in 2003. Before the virus attacked humans, it caused infections in animals. According to the CDC, this was the first time that humans had experienced monkey pox outside of Africa. The route of transmission between people is similar to that of COVID-19.
The monkey pox virus was discovered in 1958 when monkeys held at an animal facility in Copenhagen began to contract.
The first case of this disease in humans was recorded only in 1970.
What is the treatment of monkey pox?
So far failed to elaboratea uniform method of treating this disease. Moreover, people with monkey pox are at risk of serious complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, and corneal infection leading to blindness.
While the smallpox vaccine likely provides effective protection against monkey pox infection in humans, it is not currently unavailable to the general public.