Monkey Pox Virus

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Context

As many as 85,765 confirmed and 1,382 probable cases of Monkeypox were reported from 110 countries since January 1, 2022, according to a statement by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Monkey Pox Virus

About

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
Monkeypox virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virusthat belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.
The first case of monkeypox in humans was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congoduring a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox.
Scientists have so far discovered two distinct genetic groups of monkeypox virus—Central African and West African.

Cause

It is caused by monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.
Monkeypox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox. But Smallpox had a higher fatality rate than monkeypox.
Smallpox was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.

Symptoms

Monkeypox is characterised by flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes, which gradually progresses to a widespread rash all over the face and body.

Transmission

Monkeypox virus is mostly transmitted to people from wild animals such as rodents and primates, but human-to-human transmission also occurs.
It spreads from one person to another via respiratory droplets.

Treatment

There is currently no specific treatment recommended for monkeypox.
Vaccination against smallpox was about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox.
Thus, prior childhood smallpox vaccination may result in a milder disease course.