On May 19, 2022, from the case of many people who were shocked “smallpox monkey” After the latest outbreakMaster Jesada Denduangboriban Lecturer at Department of Biology Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University posted an explanation via Facebook “Oh, it’s like this by Ajarn Jet”
by Master Jesada indicate that smallpox in monkeys (monkeypox) Still not worried. but should keep an eye on According to the voice request that I would like to write an article about the news story. “smallpox monkey” That’s a little news about how it is. How afraid do we have to be?
epidemic situation Jesada Denduangbriphan said it was a rare disease caused by a virus that is related to smallpox, causing fever and itchy purulent abscesses on the skin. and can cause death
“Monkeypox” is commonly found in Africa. and is often found in animals But recently there have been reports of the detection in some European countries, where Portugal has reported five confirmed cases and 15 suspected, in Lisbon. all men and most of them are young people have skin lesions, but the symptoms are not severe
while the United Kingdom A total of seven cases were reported among gay and bisexual men in London, while in Spain, eight were suspected and pending confirmation.
forBeginning of the smallpox epidemic Master Jesada stated that It started reporting in the UK since May 7.monkey pox flying back from Nigeria After that, six more cases followed, of which four were found to be related. from being gay or bisexual and there is a sexual relationship between a man and a man
Three cases of monkeypox in the UK have previously been reported, with two of them living in the same home. and the other has traveled to Nigeria
Symptoms of monkey pox
- Monkey pox is a relative to human chickenpox. but more difficult to spread have less severe symptoms and resulting in fewer deaths
- Usually the illness lasts 2-4 weeks and has an incubation period. (From infection to symptoms) about 5-21 days
- Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, chills, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes. (which is a key difference from chickenpox in humans)
- when the fever started Scary-looking blisters appear in 1-3 days, usually starting on the face. and spread through the body Some people may not grow much. But some people may have thousands of blisters. which will be larger There is an increase in pus inside until it “cooked” and ruptured.
The origin of the name monkey pox is described as monkey pox virus, belonging to the genus Ortopox virus. The orthopoxvirus of the family Poxviridae (pox means purulent abscess) was first discovered in 1958 in an outbreak of a smallpox-like disease. which was born in a research lab where monkeys are kept
Although there is no evidence that monkeys were the cause of the outbreak. But people have taken the disease and named it “smallpox monkey” until now. World Health Organization The natural carriers of the disease are thought to be rodents such as rats and squirrels in the African forests.
Monkeypox outbreak areas
Outbreaks of “monkey pox” in humans are most common in the tropical forest areas of Central and West Africa. It was first reported in 1970 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. and later found in 11 other countries
Found an outbreak outside Africa for the first time in 2003 in the United States. from importing infected animals. Then, in 2018 and 2019, the UK detected the disease in two tourists, an Israeli and a Singaporean. who have traveled to Nigeria
Contagion of monkey pox We can contract this disease virus from infected animals. either from being bitten or scratched by an animal and from eating its flesh As for the infection from an infected person, it can be caused by direct contact. or touching contaminated clothing and bedding
The virus enters our body through lesions on the skin. or respiratory system Or mucous tissues such as the eyes, nose, mouth. Most of the transmission from person to person is through large droplets from the respiratory tract such as saliva, causing the infection to travel not very far. therefore must keep distance in the face-to-face range
But from the recent outbreaks, many experts believe that Having sex has the potential to spread the infection. Because the sexual activity brought the two of them closer together.
How worrisome is “monkey pox”?
- Monkey pox is usually not a serious illness. And most people recover in a few weeks. and that the disease is not spread easily It also makes the risk to the public much lower.
- People who are now infected with the monkey pox virus in England Found to be a West African species. which is less severe than the Central African species with a mortality rate of 1% (if it is a Central African species it is 10% and if a person has smallpox will be up to about 30%)
- The likelihood of death is higher if the patients are children, young people and immunocompromised people. at risk of becoming severely ill
- Pregnant women infected with monkey pox may have difficulty conceiving. and miscarriage while giving birth
- One of the problems with this disease is Patients with mild symptoms may not even know they have the disease. and make it possible to spread the virus to others
How to treat and prevent smallpox
“smallpox monkey” There is no specific cure. And most of the disease will go away on its own. The “smallpox vaccine” is believed to be highly effective in preventing monkey pox as well. But since smallpox was eradicated 40 years ago, there is no longer a smallpox vaccine available to people.
But a new vaccine has been successfully developed by Bavarian Nordic for both the prevention of smallpox in humans. and monkey pox It has been approved by the European Union, the United States and Canada under the brand names Imvanex, Jynneos and Imvamune, respectively.
Pictures and information from: www.euronews.com
