What are the Monkeypox virus and its symptoms and precautions?
The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection that was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.
Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness.
Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication program also provided protection against monkeypox. Newer vaccines have been developed of which one has been approved for the prevention of monkeypox
An antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox.
Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases can occur. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around 3-6%.
Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.
Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding.
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References :
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Should India be worried about monkeypox? Available at https://www.livemint.com/science/health/should-india-be-worried-about-monkeypox-11653327164346.html, accessed on 25/05/2022
Weaver JR, Isaacs SN. Monkeypox virus and insights into its immunomodulatory proteins. Immunol Rev. 2008;225:96-113. doi:10.1111/j.1600-065X.2008.00691.x
Moore M, Zahra F. Monkeypox. [Updated 2022 May 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574519/
Sklenovská N, Van Ranst M. Emergence of Monkeypox as the Most Important Orthopoxvirus Infection in Humans. Front Public Health. 2018;6:241. Published 2018 Sep 4. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00241
Monkey Pox. Available at
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox#:~:text=Monkeypox%20is%20caused%20by%20monkeypox,been%20around%203%E2%80%936%25, accessed on 26/05/2022
Human monkeypox and other poxvirus infections of man. Available at
https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/bt/smallpox/who/red-book/Chp%2029.pdf, accessed on 26/05/2022.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion.