News about [Monkeypox outbreak] 2024 in the UK

The Monkeypox outbreak – at a glance

The Monkeypox outbreak that once killed around 47 people in the year 2003 in the US is back again. It is causing an outbreak in 20 countries, says WHO. Vaccines and public health measures were used to control the outbreak. While the world is still reeling from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, questions have been raised about how concerned we should be about this new virus outbreak. This informative post is all about the monkeypox outbreak.

What is Monkeypox?

The disease is known as monkeypox because it was initially discovered in 1958 in a colony of monkeys held for research. It was only in 1970 that it was discovered in humans.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic ailment caused by the monkeypox virus that primarily affects West and Central Africa. It is mainly caused by a virus that is related to smallpox, and on the other hand, is significantly less serious than smallpox, despite the fact that it creates a similar sickness with flu-like symptoms and a rash with lesions.

Fortunately, the death rate is modest, ranging from 1 to 10%, and it is especially low with the latest strain that has just emerged.

Monkeypox is most usually seen in tropical rainforests in Central and West Africa, where animals that can carry the virus dwell. Monkeypox cases have been reported in nations outside of central and west Africa on occasion, following travel from endemic monkeypox areas.

Rosamund Lewis, WHO’s technical director when enquired about the potential of monkeypox to become a pandemic reported, “We don’t know, but we don’t think so.”

The so-far spread of Monkeypox

As of 30 May 2022, the epidemiological status of Monkeypox cases there has been around 190 laboratory-confirmed cases in the UK alone.

It is reported that the majority of monkeypox cases (87%) occurred in people aged between 20 to 49. People without a documented history of travel to endemic areas have been disproportionately affected by the outbreak. 34 confirmed cases (18%) indicated recent international travel within 21 days of illness onset, with 27 of these reporting travel inside Europe.

Symptoms of Monkeypox

Fever, strong headache, muscle aches, back discomfort, low energy, swollen lymph nodes, and a skin rash or lesions are all common symptoms of monkeypox. The rash normally appears one to three days after the fever has started. Lesions can be flat or slightly elevated, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, crusted, dried up, and eventually fall off.

Avoiding vulnerable encounters with wild animals, especially sick or dead ones, can reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox from them (including their meat and blood). In endemic countries where animals spread monkeypox, any items containing animal meat or parts should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own if not treated. Consult your doctor if you think you have symptoms that could be caused by monkeypox. Tell them if you’ve had close contact with someone who has monkeypox, whether it’s suspected or confirmed.

Monkeypox symptoms usually go away on their own after a few weeks, but they might cause medical issues and even death in some people. Monkeypox can cause more serious symptoms and death in newborns, children, and adults with preexisting immune weaknesses.

Further research on the Monkeypox

This virus comes in two varieties: West African and Central African. Infections of the West African origin are less severe than those in the Congo Basin (Central Africa) and are with a lower case fatality rate.

When individuals come into personal touch with an infected animal, monkeypox can transmit to them. Rodents and primates are examples of animal hosts. Avoiding unprotected contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or dead, can lower the risk of contracting monkeypox from them (including their meat and blood). Any items including animal meat or parts should be fully cooked before eating in endemic countries where animals spread monkeypox.

Monkeypox treatment

At present according to the sources, there is currently no proven or safe treatment for monkeypox, and most people recover and survive without treatment. At present due to the handful of cases, there is no plan to use any vaccines in the United States for monkeypox, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) might make plans in the future as per the need.

Way forward

There is currently no proven or safe treatment for monkeypox, and most people recover and survive without treatment. But here is a note of caution for all frontline healthcare workers, especially nurses and doctors from JP Medical Recruiters, one of the leading Locum Agency Recruiters in the UK to stay safe from the emerging monkeypox spread.

FAQ:

1. How does a person get monkeypox?

When people come into physical contact with an infected animal, they can contract monkeypox. Rodents and primates are examples of animal hosts.

2. Who is at risk of catching monkeypox?

Anyone who comes into direct physical contact with someone who has monkeypox symptoms or with an infected animal is at the greatest risk of contracting the disease.

3. What are the symptoms of the monkeypox virus?

Monkeypox symptoms include a fever, severe headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a skin rash or lesions.

4. Where did they typically find monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a virus that originated in West and Central African animals from the tropical rainforests. They are occasionally discovered in countries other than central and western Africa, following travel from endemic areas.

5. How many monkeypox cases?

Despite the fact that there are only about 200 confirmed cases, health experts are beginning to look into the spread and what it means for the public.