Mpox (monkeypox)

Source: DD News

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that mpox (monkeypox) is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to sustained decline in global cases and deaths.

About Mpox (monkeypox):

• What it is?

• Mpox (Monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). Belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, which also includes variola (smallpox), cowpox, and vaccinia viruses.

• Mpox (Monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV).

• Belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, which also includes variola (smallpox), cowpox, and vaccinia viruses.

• Origin:

• First identified in 1958 in monkeys in Denmark. First human case recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Natural reservoir: Still unknown, though small mammals (squirrels, rodents, monkeys) are considered susceptible.

• First identified in 1958 in monkeys in Denmark.

• First human case recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

• Natural reservoir: Still unknown, though small mammals (squirrels, rodents, monkeys) are considered susceptible.

• Vector / Reservoir:

• Likely spread from infected animals (rodents, primates) to humans through bites, scratches, hunting, or consumption. Maintained in endemic regions of Central and West Africa, with periodic outbreaks elsewhere.

• Likely spread from infected animals (rodents, primates) to humans through bites, scratches, hunting, or consumption.

• Maintained in endemic regions of Central and West Africa, with periodic outbreaks elsewhere.

• Symptoms:

• Incubation: 5–21 days. Early symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle/back pain, swollen lymph nodes, low energy. Rash: Starts on face/genitals → spreads to body (palms & soles too). Lesions evolve from flat sores → blisters → scabs. Can cause severe illness in children, pregnant women, immunocompromised (esp. HIV patients).

• Incubation: 5–21 days.

• Early symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle/back pain, swollen lymph nodes, low energy.

• Rash: Starts on face/genitals → spreads to body (palms & soles too). Lesions evolve from flat sores → blisters → scabs.

• Can cause severe illness in children, pregnant women, immunocompromised (esp. HIV patients).

• Transmission:

• Human-to-Human: Close contact (skin-to-skin, sexual contact, respiratory droplets). Sharing of contaminated objects (clothing, bedding, needles). Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or birth. Animal-to-Human: From infected rodents/primates via bites, scratches, hunting, or meat consumption.

• Human-to-Human: Close contact (skin-to-skin, sexual contact, respiratory droplets). Sharing of contaminated objects (clothing, bedding, needles). Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or birth.

• Close contact (skin-to-skin, sexual contact, respiratory droplets).

• Sharing of contaminated objects (clothing, bedding, needles).

• Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or birth.

• Animal-to-Human: From infected rodents/primates via bites, scratches, hunting, or meat consumption.

• From infected rodents/primates via bites, scratches, hunting, or meat consumption.

• Treatment & Management:

• No specific proven antiviral treatment yet and supportive care is primary. Care includes hydration, nutrition, pain relief, skin care, prevention of secondary infections.

• No specific proven antiviral treatment yet and supportive care is primary.

• Care includes hydration, nutrition, pain relief, skin care, prevention of secondary infections.