What You Need to Know About:
The Deadly Monkey Pox (M Pox) Disease.
By Dr. Prof. Hamisi M. Malebo, Chairperson, Traditional and Alternative Health Practice Council,
Ministry of Health, United Republic of Tanzania, Chief Research Scientist & Executive Secretary,
UNESCO National Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania.
1. What is Mpox?
2. Signs and Symptoms, Mode of Transmission?
3. Risk Factors Vulnerable populations?
4. Treatment Prevention?
What is Monkey Pox (Mpox)?
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection caused by the orthopoxvirus (monkeypox virus). Orthopoxvirus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.
The name monkeypox was created before WHO published best practices for naming diseases in 2015. Scientists and experts have pushed since the start of the recent outbreak to change the name to avoid discrimination and stigma that could steer people away from testing and vaccination. Infected persons with mpox often get a rash, along with other symptoms. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
How did Infection with M Pox start?
1958
Monkey pox was first discovered in animals in Denmark when two outbreaks occurred in captive monkey colonies kept for research purposes, hence the name Mpox.
1970
The first case of the virus in humans was recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in a nine – year old boy. While monkeys are exactly the culprits to blame, the virus was first identified in a monkey colony used for research in 1958.
Pox refers to any disease that produces a rash of pimples that become pus-filled and leave pockmarks on healing. Hence the name monkey-pox Infection with Mpox
Through small wild animals in West and Central Africa such as rope and sun squirrels, giant-pouched rats, and African dormice where mpox is endemic (found naturally).
Direct close contact with an infected animal, fluids or waste, or getting bitten or scratched.
During activities like hunting, trapping, or processing infected wild animals in areas where mpox is endemic.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Mpox?
Swollen glands
Muscle Ache
Fever
Headache
Rash. Typically, 1-3 days following the onset of fever, initially develop on the face
before spreading to other areas of the body.
How Does Mpox Spread?
Through Animals:
Animal bite
Eating products made of infected animals
Direct contact with body fluids or rashes
Via Humans:
Rashes or body fluids
Close exposure- face to face, skin to skin droplets.
Prolonged contact (4 hours)
Intimacy (kissing, sex, multiple partners risk)
What are the Risk Factors & Vulnerable populations for M Pox?
Risk Factors:
Direct contact with mpox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with mpox.
Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox.
Contact with respiratory secretions or sexual contact with an infected person
Travelling or travelled to a country with confirmed cases of mpox or where mpox activity has been ongoing
Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa orused a product derived from such animals (e.g., meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)
Vulnerable Populations:
Young children due to immature immunity
Malnourished children or affected by other illnesses, are the most vulnerable to catching and dying from mpox.
Immunocompromised people and those with chronic illnesses
Elderly (Persons aged >50 years might experience more severe mpox disease because of a higher prevalence of comorbidities)
At risk population:
Home pet-raisers
Healthcare workers
Mpox situation in Eastern and Southern Africa
In Southern and Eastern Africa, about 367 confirmed Mpox cases, including 3 deaths, have been reported in 5 countries, including Burundi (328), South Africa
(24), Uganda (7), Rwanda (4) and Kenya (4) as of 2 September. Experts estimate the actual numbers could be higher. More than 3,800 confirmed cases have been recorded across Africa since January 2024, with Burundi as the second most affected country in the continent after the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Mpox is spreading across the continent, while it is also dealing with other diseases, including cholera and measles.
Mpox situation in Central and West Africa
The mpox epidemic currently sweeping through Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it is spreading at an alarming rate and has been reported beyond DRC borders. DRC has reported the most people with mpox in the 13 African countries, reporting cases with a cumulative number (19 667) of clade Ia and clade Ib infections (2 961 confirmed and 16 706 suspected) including 575 deaths.
Treatment and Prevention.
1. Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with mpox has used or touched.
2. Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.
3. Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
4. If you or someone you live with has mpox, follow steps for Cleaning and
Disinfecting your Home. Vaccines and Medications of Monkey Pox:
Monkey Pox typically resolves on its own within 2- 4 weeks For severe cases:
There is no established cure or treatment regime. Several new therapies are being
developed or are undergoing clinical trials.
Treatment options to manage symptoms and prevent future outbreaks include:
Anti virals
Vaccinia Immune Globulin
Small Pox Vaccine (MVA-BN vaccine approved by the European Union, Canada and
others. LC16 vaccine: approved by Japan, Orthopox Vac: App, approved by Russia).
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