Monkeypox is a viral infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). This virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus which belongs to the same genus as smallpox.
In 2022, a significant global outbreak was witnessed, and as of 2024 18 837 cases were reported in countries across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia covering 120 countries.
Last year, a 60-year-old woman became the first monkeypox-infected individual in Nepal and the number of cases has reportedly begun to increase!
Nepal reported another monkeypox case on Friday [20th December 2024]. A 36-year-old man from Tanahun, who returned from Saudi Arabia on Thursday, tested positive for the deadly disease.
Also Read: Meningitis In Nepal: Can You Donate Blood If You Had Meningitis?
How Does Monkeypox Spread? What Are The Symptoms?
Monkeypox being a virus is transmitted through close contact with an infected individual, contaminated material, or with infected animals.
This deadly virus has 2 clades, i.e. clade 1 and clade 2! It is worth knowing that the 2022-2023 outbreak was led by the clade IIb strain.
Pregnant women need to be extra cautious as fetal transmission is a high possibility.
Let’s identify the symptoms of this lethal disease in this discussion:
- rash
- fever
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle aches
- back pain
- low energy
- swollen lymph nodes.
Often the rash is the most noticeable symptom appearing first in the face and scattering throughout the body gradually.
Starting as a flat sore, painfully itchy blisters filled with liquid form gradually. Later, with the healing process commencing, the blistering skin dries up, crust over, and breaks out.
Usually, it is the point of contact where the rash marks its starting point.
Prevention And Cautions To Adopt
Having a pandemic causing power, monkeypox needs to be managed in time. Maintaining basic sanitation is undoubtedly the key to preventing illness firsthand.
Likewise, administering a monkeypox vaccine (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is an important step not to miss out, especially for people living in areas where the disease was observed nearby.
The vaccine can also be administered to an individual who has been exposed to or affected by this lethal outbreak.
Might be helpful: Yellow Fever: Symptoms | Prevention | Vaccine
How Deadly Is The Disease?
The monkeypox has been identified as an alarming cause worldwide with new cases rising each day. Studies suggest that the case fatality rate of this disease is around 10%.
What this means is that in every 10 people who get infected with this disease, 1 person unfortunately loses their life. When compared with the recent coronavirus pandemic, monkeypox is at least 7 times more deadly!
As of August 22, 2024, there have been 457 reported deaths due to monkeypox (Mpox) since the outbreak.
This concludes that monkeypox is very deadly!
It is high time Nepali authorities must take this issue in urgency and take necessary preventive steps for Monkeypox in Nepal.
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