Beginning in early May 2022, cases of a viral
infection called monkeypox became increasingly prevalent in endemic and non-endemic countries.
On July 23rd, 2022, the director general of WHO declared that the multi-country
outbreak of monkeypox
is a public health emergency of international concern.
This news has raised concerns amongst the general public
leaving us with the question of: what even if monkeypox?
In this video, we will discuss:
monkeypox as a viral infection,
epidemiology and public health,
including transmission, symptoms and treatment.
To begin with.
conceptualize.
monkeypox as a virus.
A virus is a microorganism that infects cells,
killing that cell and ultimately causing harm to the host
organism. There are
different types of viruses, monkeypox is classified as a zoonotic virus,
meaning it's transmitted by animals to humans.
It is spread by close physical contact.
It was detected in a nine month old boy in
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since the 1970s, it has been reported in humans in
over 11
African countries.
Monkeypox is a disease of global public health importance, as
it not only affects countries
in West and Central Africa,
but the rest of the world
as well.
In 2003,
the first monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa,
was in the United States of America, and was linked
to contact with infected pet,
prairie dogs.
These pets had been housed with Gambian pouched,
rats
and dormice that had been imported into the country
from Ghana.
This outbreak Lent over 70 cases of monkeypox
in the US
Monkeypox has also been reported in travelers from Nigeria to
Israel,
in September
2018, to the United Kingdom in September 2018,
December
2019,
May 2021,
and May 2022 to Singapore in May 2019,
and to the United States of America in July and
November 2021.
In May 2022,
multiple cases,
of monkeypox were identified in several non-endemic countries.
Additionally,
around the world,
there have been over
seventy thousand cases as of October 2022, as cause for
concern continues to grow.
Anyone is at risk of infection
If they come into close contact with someone who has
the virus, regardless of sex, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
However,
there are certain factors that may place someone at
more risk of infection or outcomes,
including: people who are immunocompromised, newborn infants, and
young children,
people who are not: vaccinated against smallpox,
eating inadequately cooked meat/animal products of infected animals
and finally,
certain demographics & geographical regions are more
at risk. In particular, people who live in heavily forested and rural areas
of Central and Eastern Africa,
The monkeypox outbreak that is currently underway has geographically impacted
thousands of people in over 100 countries or regions. The
CDC reports that as of November 4th 2022, over 78 000
total cases of monkeypox have been reported, of which over
77,000
of those are non-endemic locations.
More cases than normal have been reported in endemic parts of Africa
Now,
let's look at which demographics
are most impacted. Recently,
the CDC reported that community transmission of monkeypox in the USA
is disproportionately affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men; this
is consistent with data reported from other countries.
Furthermore,
although the majority of cases have occurred in white persons,
available data in the USA indicates that Black and Hispanic persons
accounted for more than half of monkeypox cases, in persons for whom information on race
and ethnicity is available.
This disproportionate burden has raised public health concerns to prioritize and promote efforts to slow transmission among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
Efforts to address challenges that include homophobia, stigma, and discrimination are required
In addition, ensuring there is equity in testing, treatment and prevention is critical to minimize stigma related to monkeypox and reduce barriers to seek care
Health authorities in Canada,
are still collecting information on how the virus spreads.
However,
there are three modes of transmission: person-to-person, contaminated objects,
and animals-to-humans.
Coming in contact with lesions,
or scabs on the skin or mucosal surfaces like,
eyes, throat, mouth or genitalia, can spread the virus.
It can potentially also spread by contact with bodily fluids,
like semen, saliva or blood. Now,
although, it is still under investigation,
the virus is thought to spread mainly by respiratory particles.
So, by coughing, sneezing, breathing, talking or just about any
close contact.
It is yet unknown
whether a person without any symptoms can spread the virus,
but a pregnant woman infected with the virus,
can pass it on to her developing child during or
after birth. Although there is a lower risk,
a person can become infected by coming into contact,
with a patient's
used items like bedding,
towels, clothes,
or other shared items,
like razors, toothbrushes, needles or sex toys.
Researchers
suspect that African rodents are the main source of monkeypox
in the wild, including other species of squirrels and rats.
The animal to human transmission of the virus,
occurs by scratches, bites or eating uncooked,
infected meat. Its still under investigation,
but it may be possible for people to also pass
the virus onto animals by close contact.
So, like cuddling, petting, kissing or sharing sleeping areas.
So, what are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox? Clinical manifestations of monkeypox can
take 5 to 21 days to appear from the moment
of infection. Symptoms
will start to present themselves during the infection period,
which can be broken down to the invasion period
and skin eruption.
During the invasion period,
infected individuals may experience typical symptoms of viral infection such
as fever,
intense headaches, lymphadenopathy,
(which is basically abnormal swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, muscle aches,
and an intense lack of energy. Invasion periods
typically last 0 to 5 days. Skin eruption occurs typically 1-3 days after the fever occurs and concentrates around the face and extremities.
These rashes present themselves as pimples or blisters and may
be painful or itchy. Individuals are contagious from the first onset of symptoms and
until the skin has healed, typically 2-4 weeks.
Some areas are more commonly reported to see
skin eruptions compared to others, and these are listed on the screen.
How monekypox presents itself and its severity may differ due to age, extent of virus exposure,
patient health status, and
nature of
complications.
Monkeypox can have complications and lead to other diseases such as secondary infections.
It can lead to fatalities, with a 0-11% chance among the general population, but this is higher in populations with higher risk factors .
If you do have symptoms, please seek out and contact your health care provider
or local health authorities for further info on how to proceed.
Monkeypox has similar clinical manifestations as other poxes, bacterial skin infections, scabies, syphilis, and medication-associated allergies and, therefore, doctors need to consider other illnesses
One way monkeypox can be differentiated from other poxes is through lymphadenopathy.
A Healthcare provider will swab the lesion of an infected person’s scab to test for monkeypox
The treatment for patients with symptoms of monkeypox is wound care, pain
control, treatment of any bacterial infections,
or any other complications that arise.
Now,
although, there is currently no specific treatment for monkeypox,
there are many antiviral medications for smallpox and other similar
conditions, that can help patients with monkeypox as well.
For example,
Imvamune vaccine was authorized by Health Canada and
the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends
this vaccine
to people
with high risk
exposure to a probable or confirmed
case of monkeypox.
But, due to unique circumstances,
all countries,
determine their own immunization
programmes. The local public health authorities
might also ask you to isolate in either
your home or a different location.
It is essential that you follow their advice to reduce
the risk of spreading the virus to others.
You should avoid sharing contaminated items,
covered any
lesions, wear
a mask,
clean your hands and especially seek help if your breastfeeding
and keep the environment clean. To conclude,
we hope you have a better understanding of monkeypox as a disease and public health issue. Now you have the tools to identify and
protect yourself against the monkeypox infection and how to recognize
when you should seek help from a healthcare provider.