What is Monkeypox As the world continues to reel under coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts, global concerns have been raised over the recent increase in rare monkeypox infections in different parts of the world. Monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals, (viral zoonosis) with symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients. It is caused by the monkeypox virus. Various animal species such as tree squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice and rope squirrels have been identified as susceptible to monkeypox virus. The first monkeypox cases in humans were found in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An outbreak that occurred in the United States in 2003 was traced to a pet store where rodents imported from Ghana were sold. There are two distinct genetic clade of the monkeypox virus: the central African (Congo Basin) clade and the west African clade. The Congo Basin clade has historically caused more severe disease and was thought to be more transmissible. Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox In humans, the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. They include fever, headache, muscle pains, shivering, backache, and feeling extremely tired. Typically there are swollen lymph nodes behind the ear, below the jaw, in the neck or in the groin. This is followed by a rash that forms blisters and crusts over; most frequently in the mouth, on the face, hands and feet, genitals and eyes. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is on average 12 days, though ranges from 5-to-21 days. The duration of symptoms is typically two to four weeks. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems. Monkeypox Disease Transmission Monkeypox can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the
What is Monkeypox As the world continues to reel under coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts, global concerns have been raised over the recent increase in rare monkeypox infections in different parts of the world. Monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals, (viral zoonosis) with symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients. It is