In late-July 2022, the World Health Organization declared the worldwide outbreak of monkeypox a public health emergency, the most recent declaration of this type was for the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases of monkeypox have been reported across Europe and North America since May,
. Endemic in disease terms means it is continuously present in a particular geographic area or region. The WHO had classified
, such as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria. Previous cases of monkeypox found in non-endemic regions were usually linked with travel to Central or West Africa, however many
appear to have no known connection with these areas and would suggest community transmission.
What is monkeypox?
The virus which causes monkeypox originates from the same ‘family’ as
smallpox. However, monkeypox is significantly less severe than smallpox. Medical experts have said most cases are mild and the virus remains not easily spread between people. Transmission occurs through close contact with an infected person, where the virus can enter through broken skin or areas such as the mouth, nose, and eyes. While monkeypox is not regarded as sexually transmitted, and so far in the latest outbreak experts have found no evidence of it being a
sexually transmitted disease, the close contact during sexual activity may allow it to spread easier. Several initial cases in non-endemic regions were reported among men who have sex with men (MSM), although the explanation of this transmission was said to be most likely a coincidental introduction of monkeypox which then circulated among MSM.
According to the WHO, symptoms include headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches. Furthermore, a rash can develop which, after initially appearing on the face, can spread to other parts of the body. The rash can be of similar appearance to chickenpox, and then forms a scab which falls off.
What will come of this outbreak?
So far, it has been reported the outbreak involves the west African strain of monkeypox, regarded as the milder version of the two known strains. Cases of the virus are generally mild, and patients recover on their own after a period of two to three weeks. Nonetheless, deaths due to monkeypox have previously been recorded in endemic countries and more serious cases can be caused among those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and young children. Due to the similarities, the smallpox vaccine provides good protection against monkeypox. Owing to the success of the vaccination campaign,
smallpox was considered eradicated in 1980, and after this time, routine smallpox vaccination was stopped, meaning that most people today under the age of 50 years old have no immunity against monkeypox. However, those that were old enough to have received a smallpox vaccine should still have some long-lasting protection. Some countries with monkeypox outbreaks such as the UK and France have been trying to vaccinate people such as healthcare workers and those who have been recently exposed, which could reduce the severity of illness if they become infected. .
Fears of a new pandemic
More than two years of
the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions and lockdowns, and first and foremost many deaths, have made the public all over the world very sensitive to news of a new disease outbreak. Recent polls in the United States already showed that nearly four out of every 10
Americans are concerned about monkeypox, which is a quite high share, given the fact that, as of now, only between one and five cases have been recorded in the country. Although monkeypox and COVID-19 are different in many ways, discussions about vaccinations and wearing masks could once again be more intensified.
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