Monkeypox is capturing global attention as a rare viral infection that is emerging and spreading in countries far from its endemic roots in Africa. While monkeypox tends to cause a mild, self-limiting illness, the recent outbreaks worldwide have triggered alarms about its pandemic potential and disease severity. In this write-up, we will explore top 13 interesting facts about monkeypox – its history, transmission, symptoms, treatment and more.
Interesting Facts About Monkeypox
1. Name
Monkeypox gets its name from the fact that it was first discovered in colonies of monkeys kept for research in 1958. However, monkeys are not the natural hosts of this virus – it is thought that rodents and other small mammals in Africa harbour the monkeypox virus in nature.
2. Classification
The monkeypox virus belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which includes the smallpox virus (the deadliest of all pox viruses). However, monkeypox is much less severe than smallpox, with a fatality rate of less than 10% compared to around 30% for smallpox.
3. Spreading of Monkeypox
Next in the list of interesting facts about monkeypox is that it spreads through close physical contact with an infected person or animal. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Human-to-human transmission is limited unless there is prolonged face-to-face contact.
4. Symptoms
After an incubation period of 5 to 21 days, monkeypox causes fever, intense headache, lymph node swelling, back pain, muscle aches and lack of energy. Within 1 to 3 days of fever onset, a rash develops, often beginning on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. The rash goes through several stages before finally forming a scab which later falls off.
5. Distinguishing Feature
The distinguishing feature of monkeypox is that the rash often takes on a similar appearance to smallpox – with lesions in different stages of development and concentrated more on the extremities and face. However, monkeypox lesions are typically less numerous than smallpox.
6. Strains
If you are looking for interesting facts about monkeypox, you should know about the strains of it. There are two known strains of the monkeypox virus – the West African strain (with 1% mortality) and the Congo Basin strain (with 10% mortality). The 2022 outbreak implicated the milder West African strain.
7. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of monkeypox involves testing of fluid from the lesions for presence of the telltale poxvirus using PCR tests. Isolation of the virus provides confirmation but is usually not necessary.
8. Treatment
There are no proven, safe treatments specifically for monkeypox infections. However, the smallpox vaccine, antivirals like cidofovir and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) may be useful in severe cases. The smallpox vaccine can provide some protection against it.
9. Fomites Can spread Monkeypox
While close physical contact is required for transmission, fomites (objects like bedding or towels contaminated with virus particles) could also spread monkeypox. The virus can survive for weeks or months outside a living host. Proper disinfection is important to limit spread from fomites.
10. Severity
Most cases of monkeypox are mild, with some patients showing only few lesions or even none at all. Severe cases are more likely in young children or those with weaker immunity. Complications include secondary infections, pneumonia and eye disease which can lead to vision loss.
11. Health professionals are at Most Risk
Healthcare professionals who treat patients with the monkeypox virus, as well as their relatives, are particularly vulnerable. According to the World Health Organization, patients with monkeypox virus infection should only be cared for by those who have received the smallpox vaccination.
12. Genetic Clades
The genetic clades is one of the most interesting facts about monkeypox. The monkeypox virus has two distinct genetic clades – the Congo Basin (Central African) clade and the West African clade. The Congo Basin clade has historically caused more severe disease and was linked to higher mortality rates. The 2022 outbreak implicated the milder West African clade.
13. Monkeypox vs Smallpox
While closely related, there are important differences between monkeypox and smallpox. Smallpox has higher fatality rates around 30% compared to less than 10% for monkeypox. Monkeypox causes less lesions than smallpox as well. The incubation period for monkeypox is longer at three weeks versus two weeks for smallpox, allowing more time for control measures. Unlike smallpox which only infects humans, monkeypox is a zoonotic virus with animal reservoirs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is monkeypox?
A: Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonotic disorder that causes fever, body aches, enlarged lymph nodes and distinct pox-like lesions on the skin.
Q: Is monkeypox critical?
A: Monkeypox is normally milder than smallpox, with a fatality rate underneath 10%. Most patients recover within 2-4 weeks.
Q: Can monkeypox be treated?
A: There are not any treatments specifically authorised for monkeypox. However, antivirals like tecovirimat may also help deal with different instances. Vaccines towards smallpox offer some safety.
Q: How worried should I be about monkeypox?
A: For the general public, knowing the interesting facts about monkeypox makes it easier to deal with.
Q: Can monkeypox become a pandemic?
A: It is very unlikely monkeypox will cause a pandemic like COVID-19 as it requires close contact to spread. Improved surveillance, testing, isolation of cases and contact tracing can limit further global spread.
Q: Is monkeypox a sexually transmitted disease?
A: While it can spread during intimate physical contact, monkeypox is not considered an STD. The virus can spread through any kind of prolonged, close contact with someone who has monkeypox.
Q: Who is at risk of monkeypox?
A: Anyone can get monkeypox, but close contacts of infected persons, children and immunocompromised persons tend to be at higher risk.
Overview
As monkeypox cases rise globally, having a proper understanding of this disease is critical. Learning interesting facts about monkeypox empowers the public to stay protected and safe. Knowledge also helps end stigma around monkeypox. Debunking myths and misinformation ensures communities can take meaningful precautions without panic. The facts turn monkeypox from an obscure disease to one the general public can comprehend and respond to appropriately.