OUTBREAK OF MONKEY POX

Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare disease caused by a virus. It leads to rashes and flu-like symptoms. Like the better-known virus that causes smallpox, it’s a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus.

TYPES OF MONKEY POX ARE AS FOLLOWS.
1. clade1 of mpox virus — one that originated in Central Africa Clade I

2. Clade11 originated in West Africa (Clade II).

HOW COMMON IS MPOX?
Mpox is rare. But the number of cases is increasing in Africa especially Nigeria as well as in regions that haven’t seen these infections before.
It can also be found in the United Kingdom.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MONKEY POX
1. Fever
2. Rash.
3. Swollen lymph nodes.
4. Chills.
5. Headache.
6. Muscle aches.
7. Fatigue.
8. Trouble breathing
9. Worsening chest pain
10. Stiff neck
11. Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly.
12. Difficulty in speaking or moving.
13. Loss of Consciousness
14. Seizures.
The rash starts as flat, red bumps, which can be painful. Those bumps turn into blisters, which fill with pus. Eventually, the blisters crust over and fall off. The whole process can last two to four weeks. You can get sores on your mouth, face, hands, feet, penis, vagina or anus.
Not everyone with mpox develops all the symptoms. Different ways you might experience symptoms include:
Only a rash (no other symptoms), or other symptoms developing later.
Flu-like symptoms, then a rash. Some people don’t get a rash at all.
A rash can be widespread, but some people only a have few bumps or blisters.
You can have mpox and not know it. Even if you don’t show many signs of infection, it’s possible that you can spread still spread it to others through prolonged close contact.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION
1. Person-to-person spread (transmission) occurs when you come in contact with the sores, scabs, respiratory droplets or oral fluids of a person who’s infected, usually through close, intimate situations like cuddling, kissing or sex.

2. Animal-to-person transmission occurs through broken skin, like from bites or scratches, or through direct contact with an infected animal’s blood, bodily fluids or pox lesions (sores).

3. You can also get mpox by coming into contact with recently contaminated materials like clothing, bedding and other linens used by a person or animal who’s infected.

HOW IS MONKEY POX DIAGNOSED?
Because mpox is rare, a healthcare provider may first suspect other rash illnesses, such as measles or chickenpox. But swollen lymph nodes usually distinguish mpox from other poxes.

To diagnose mpox, your healthcare provider takes a tissue sample from an open sore (lesion). Then, they send it to a lab for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing (genetic fingerprinting). You may also need to give a blood sample to check for the mpox virus or antibodies your immune system makes.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
Is mpox curable?
Mpox is usually a self-limited disease (gets better without treatment) with symptoms lasting from two to four weeks. Following diagnosis, your healthcare provider will monitor your condition and try to relieve your symptoms, prevent dehydration and give you antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections if they develop

How is mpox treated?
There aren’t any currently approved antiviral treatments for mpox. If you’re very sick, your provider might prescribe antiviral drugs like cidofovir or tecovirimat. These drugs are approved to treat other viral infections (like smallpox),

PREVENTION OF MONKEY POX

1. Vaccination
2. Avoiding contact with infected animals (especially sick or dead animals).
3. Avoiding contact with bedding and other materials contaminated with the virus.
4. Thoroughly cooking all foods that contain animal meat or parts.
5. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
6. Avoiding contact with people who may be infected with the virus.
7. Practicing safe sex, including the use of condoms and dental dams.
8. Wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose when around others.
9. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
10. Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for people infected with the virus.
11. Isolation from the infected person or animal.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MPOX AND CHICKEN POX?

Sometimes people misunderstood Monkey Pox with Chicken Pox but they are different.

Mpox vs. chickenpox
Although they both cause skin rashes, different viruses cause mpox and chickenpox. Mpox is an orthopoxvirus, while chickenpox is a herpes virus. Both viruses can spread through skin-to-skin or prolonged face-to-face contact, but chickenpox is very contagious and spreads more easily than mpox. People with mpox are more likely to have swollen lymph nodes than people with chickenpox.

CONCLUSION:
In Conclusion, the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated if you’re at high risk, avoid contact with people who are infected, wash your hands frequently and wear a face mask in crowded, indoor spaces.

Thank you.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.