Monkeypox is a smallpox-like rare infectious disease that is mainly spread by wild animals such as rodents and squirrels. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. The disease is mainly spread in West and Central Africa, but was discovered during the pox-like disease outbreak of the virus in Denmark in 1958.
How Do You Get Infected by Monkeypox Virus?
Monkeypox virus infection is transmitted to human through the handling of infected animals or by direct contact with an infected animal’s body fluid. It can also be transmitted from one person to another through contact with large infective respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected person.
What Is The Incubation Period Of Monkeypox Virus?
The incubation period of Monkeypox may vary from person to person depending on the person’s immune defense system. However, the incubation period for the virus is between 7 to 21 days.
What Are The Symptoms Of Monkeypox?
The symptoms of Monkeypox include:
- High fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Malaise
- Cough
- Swollen lumph nodes
Rashes appear on the patient’s body within 1 to 3 days after the appearance of fever. The rashes often begins from the face and spread throughout the body.
Before falling off, the lesions progress through the following stages:
- Macules
- Papules
- Vesicles
- Pustules
- Scabs
How Long Can Monkey Infection Last?
The illness usually lasts for four weeks or less in some cases. The death rate of Monkeypox is as many as 1 in 10 persons who contact the disease.
How Can You Prevent Monkeypox Infection?
To prevent yourself from contacting Monkeypox virus, do the following:
- Avoid contact with animals that are carriers of the virus such as rodents and squirrels.
- Infected persons should be isolated and quarantined.
- Avoid contact with materials used by infected persons.
- Always maintain good hygiene and wash hands after contact with infected patients.
- Use personal protective equipment when attending to patients.
Treatment Of Monkeypox
There is currently no treatment for Monkeypox virus infection. However, smallpox vaccines, antiviral medicines, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used in preventing the outbreak of the disease.