19/09/2022
Monkeypox Virus
Public health authorities have ants in their pants about the occurrence of one viral pandemic after another. While COVID-19 will soon likely enter into endemic stage, we are likely to be facing a second viral outbreak. This time the etiological agent is Monkey-pox virus. Monkey-pox was coined from the first isolate (monkey). Monkey-pox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with presentation similar to smallpox. It is endemic to Central and West Africa although numerous cases have been reported in non-endemic countries in Europe, North America and Australia.
RESERVOIR, TRANSMISSION, SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
The natural reservoir of monkey-pox remains unknown however various animal species have been identified as susceptible to monkey-pox virus. This includes rope and tree squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, non-human primates and other species (WHO, 2022). While MPV cannot be transmitted easily, animal-to-human transmission can occur from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals (WHO, 2022). Human-to-human transmission occurs from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or recently contaminated objects (WHO, 2022). Through placenta or direct contact during and after birth Mother-to-child transmission can occur. Upon infection with MPV, the individual develops a small-pox like illness characterized by fever, lymphadenopathy and rash. Once the rash begins, patients are considered infectious until lesions scabs and the scabs falls off. The distinguishing feature of human monkey-pox from small-pox is the development of lymphadenopathy, which occurs 1-2 days before the onset of rash. Chills, headache, asthenia, weariness, backache, muscle ache, fatigue with progression to exhaustion are other signs and symptoms accompanying the onset of MPV infection. Pneumonitis, encephalitis, sight-threatening keratitis, and secondary bacterial infections are some complications of monkey-pox.
DIAGNOSIS AND PREVENTION
In diagnosing active monkey-pox cases, the preferred strategy is by identification of viral DNA swabs taken from crusts of vesicles or ulcers. Currently, there has been no drug licensed for the treatment of monkey-pox, although smallpox vaccine can provide protection. However, safety concerns for a live virus vaccine limited its usage. Monkey-pox prevention depends on reducing human contact with infected wild animals while isolating infected individuals so as to prevent person-to-person spread of the virus.
