Monkeypox has now been declared an outbreak in ‘non-endemic’ countries, but what is the disease, how is it spread and what else should we know about it? Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about the viral pinch:
The outbreak:
Various cases of monkeypox have been reported to the World Health Organisation since 13 May this year. The cases have been reported by WHO member states that aren’t endemic for the virus, ie: not regularly found in these areas, according to the WHO.
The initial cluster of cases reportedly first appeared in the UK, but as the WHO expresses, no travel links to endemic areas have been established.
The WHO goes on to say that “based on the currently available information, cases have mainly but not exclusively been identified amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). However, as doctors challenge, this is because the first cluster happened to include gay or bisexual men, creating what they express to be a “narrative merging” that is “sadly reminiscent of initial reporting on pneumocystis pneumonia clusters in gay men with AIDs forty years ago,” as per Speaking of Medicine.
Contributing doctors note that monkeypox is “not a gay disease and neither are any other infectious diseases.”
The WHO adds that surveillance of monkeypox outbreaks is expanding, and that current evidence indicates that those who have close interaction/contact with an infected person whilst symptomatic are at risk the most.
As of 21 May, there were 92 confirmed cases, and 28 suspected in Northern Hemisphere countries, par Australia.
On the African continent, there have been 1315 cases since December.
Backlash over African association:
Regarding the African association that some media outlets are perpetuating, Africa’s Foreign Press Association has condemned these narratives that place black people alongside outbreak news.
“As any other disease, it can occur in any region in the world and afflict anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity,” the FPAA stated on Twitter.
About monkeypox and its transmission:
The virus is a viral zoonosis (transmitted from animals to people). Symptoms are similar to smallpox, but monkeypox is less severe, as the WHO states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus can enter the body through “broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).” Respiratory contact through droplets is reportedly common, but this occurs through close contact, as droplets can’t travel vast distances. Other direct contacts with body fluids or lesion material (indirect) can also make for transmission.
Transmission from an animal can include being bitten, scratched, bush meat preparation, “direction contact with body fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material” ie: contaminated bedding, as per the CDC.
Although reports say that the virus is attributed to parts of Africa including West Africa, doctors advising the situation, including Dr Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser for UKHSA, expressed that the cases have had no identified contact with anyone from West Africa, as per the BBC.
Symptoms:
According to the NHS, symptoms include a high temperature, a headache, back and muscle aches, shivering, swollen glands and exhaustion. A rash is also common, appearing 1 to five days after initial symptoms. The NHS says that it begins on one’s face before spreading.
The unknowns:
According to Medical News Today, Dr. Fall noted that there is still a lot for public health officials to learn about the virus. Discovering more about the virus itself isn’t enough, as another doctor, Dr. Michael Ryan expressed, but rather discovering answers about the hosts.
Vaccines:
As for vaccines, it’s been widely reported that smallpox vaccinations do offer a level of protection against monkeypox. The WHO agreed with this, but added that of a specific monkeypox vaccine, (MVA-BN and treatment (tecovirimat) these “countermeasures are not yet widely available.”
Smallpox vaccines, adds the WHO, could be considered for use in line with national guidance.
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Picture: UK Health Security Agency/Science Photo Library
