Humanity has been faced with an evolving epidemic since the beginning of May, while the first deaths have already been recorded.
The monkeypox is a viral infection, which "counts" 64 years of life and spreads on the world map causing the immediate reaction of the World Health Organization, which declared an emergency state. The monkeypox epidemic records increased rates of spread in dozens of countries around the world (they have already reached 75) in many of which it is appearing for the first time.
There are good news, however, as the type of monkeypox that appeared in May, which is the West African type, is rarely fatal.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection transmitted mainly by wild animals found in areas of Central and West Africa.
The monkeypox virus usually affects rodents, rats or mice, monkeys, while it can also occur in humans.
Monkeypox, the much discussed virus of recent months, belongs to the category of Othopoxvitus, which also includes the smallpox (variola) virus of the disease that plagued humanity for centuries until its eradication in the 1970s.
« Monkey pox is not a new disease. The first cases were isolated in 1958 »
How is Monkeypox transmitted?
Monkeypox virus is transmitted through close contact with an infected animal or person.
It attacks any person and does not come from specific population groups.
The transmission ways of monkeypox include:
- Close personal contact
- Exposure to biological fluids
- Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (eg bedding, clothing, etc.)
A pregnant woman can also transmit the virus to the fetus she is carrying.
Note that monkeypox can be transmitted through sexual contact during physical contact.
Symptoms
Monkeypox appears with a characteristic rash 1 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms, which include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Myalgia
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
The characteristic blisters of monkeypox fill with pus and fall off after 2 to 4 weeks.
