WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONKEYPOX

South Africa recently recorded its first cases of this disease, which has suddenly appeared in many parts of the world. Here’s what it is, and how to protect yourself.

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With Covid-19 still hanging over us, it’s disturbing to hear of another disease breaking out in many parts of the world. Monkeypox, as it is called, is not as serious. Even so, American immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci said a few weeks ago that it has to be watched closely since we don’t know yet how far and quickly it can spread.

ABOUT MONKEYPOX
Monkeypox is rare. It’s caused by a virus from the same family as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. The symptoms are similar, but less severe and rarely fatal. It's not related to chicken pox.

Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 after an outbreak among monkeys held for research. Despite the name, the disease is probably spread mostly by rodents. The first human case was recorded in 1970.

The virus has two main strains, West African and Central Africa. The milder one from the west is now going around in many parts of the world.

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HOW YOU GET MONKEYPOX
Rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels in parts of Africa are the usual carriers. You can catch monkeypox from an infected animal if you're bitten or touch its blood, body fluids, blisters or scabs.

It may also be possible to catch monkeypox by eating meat from an infected animal which has not been cooked thoroughly, or by touching things such as skin or fur from infected animals.

The disease can be spread among humans through clothing and bedding of an infected person, touching scabs or blisters, or droplets from a patient’s coughs or sneezes.It’s not confirmed yet that the disease can be sexually transmitted.

MONKEYPOX SYMPTOMS
The first signs usually appear after 5 to 21 days. They include fever, headache, sore muscles and back, swollen glands, shivering and fatigue.

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About 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms, a rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, most often the arms and legs. It starts as raised spots which looks like chickenpox as they turn into small, pus-filled blisters. These will form scabs which fall off later. They can be very itchy or painful and can cause scarring.



WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET MONKEYPOX
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but past data from Africa suggests that the smallpox vaccine is at least 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Antivirals developed for use in patients with smallpox may work as well.

Get medical help if you have a rash with blisters and if, in the past three weeks, you’ve been in close contact with someone who might have monkeypox or you’ve been to West or Central Africa.

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If your symptoms are severe or you're at risk of getting seriously ill, you may have to stay in hospital. For milder cases, isolate at home and avoid close contact with other people until you've been told what to do.

PREVENTION
Wash your hands regularly and cook all meat thoroughly. Stay clear of wild, stray or sick animals, living or dead. Do not eat or touch bush meat.

Don’t share bedding or towels with people who may have monkeypox and avoid close contact with them.