MONKEY POX VIRUS
Copyright infringement is not intended.
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.
1.png)
