Monkeypox and Rising Concerns

By Dr A Rajalakshmi

On July 23 WHO declared monkeypox a global health emergency meaning that the outbreak is significant enough threat to global health that a coordinated international response is needed. Historically, monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 and first human case in 1970 in Democratic Republic of Congo. It has spread at low levels in remote parts of West and Central Africa where rodents and other animals carried the virus and acted as a source for human transmission. Though Europe is the epicenter of the current outbreak outside Africa, cases are reported in US, Canada and in India too.

Monkeypox belong to the same virus family as small pox and usually causes milder disease. Monkeypox usually present as fever headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, later progress to develop rash and patients are considered most infectious during this time. The rash in monkeypox is different from chickenpox as the vesicles are bigger and can be seen in palms and soles. In the current outbreak some symptoms are atypical as rash without fever was noted as the initial presentation, some had localized rash in genitals and anus thus may be confused with other sexually transmitted diseases needing a high index of suspicion to diagnose. In a recently published data there is evidence of monkeypox virus in the semen though the real implications of this is not known currently. Monkeypox is spread through respiratory droplets and is not considered as contagious as COVID-19 and can be spread through contaminated linen.

Usually the transmission is from animals to humans. The transmission of monkeypox between people was noted rare before this outbreak. In the current monkeypox outbreak across the globe outside Africa, highest incidence was among men who have sex with men, though anyone can acquire monkeypox regardless of sexual orientation and through close contact. But it is also important to get across to those with high risk sexual behavior about risk of transmission of monkeypox, in addition to several other sexually transmitted diseases.

General preventive measures at individual level are by avoiding close physical contact with those suspected or confirmed monkeypox, follow safe sex especially with unknown and multiple partners, use appropriate protective clothing when caring for monkeypox infected patients.

By Dr A Rajalakshmi - DNB, CIC, FRCP, FIDSA, Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Group Lead – HIC, KIMHEALTH, Trivandrum

(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person / organisation directly or indirectly.)