US SEES SPIKE IN MONKEYPOX (MPOX) CASES; HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE VIRAL DISEASE

Mpox cases have surged in the United States with cases twice as high as they were at this time last time. This year, there have been 511 cases of mpox reported as compared to 287 cases during the same time last year. Reports state that New York City alone has more than 100 cases now, however, last year, NYC had 30 cases of Mpox.

Experts have highlighted the importance of vaccination as there has been an increase in transmission.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox is a viral disease that’s caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a zoonotic disease and hence it can spread from animal to humans. It was first discovered in monkeys and hence, the name monkeypox.

Mpox usually causes painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. While most people recover from the condition, however, some people might get very sick. The virus spreads from person to person through touch, kissing or sex. However, from animals, it usually spreads when hunting, skinning, or cooking them. It can also spread from contaminated sheets, clothes or needles and from infected pregnant mothers to their unborn babies.

CDC divides mpox virus into two categories, “Clade I and Clade II. The Clade I type of mpox virus has a fatality rate around 10%. Infections in the 2022–2023 outbreak are from Clade II, or more specifically, Clade IIb. Infections with Clade IIb are rarely fatal. More than 99% of people who get this form of the disease are likely to survive.”

Signs and symptoms of Mpox

After you’re infected with the virus, it might take a few days to a few weeks for the signs to appear. Here, take a look at some of the signs and symptoms of monkeypox.

  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Muscle aches
  • Rash
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue

The rash usually starts to show as flat and red bumps but they can be painful. These eventually turn into blisters with pus. You might also notice sores on your mouth, face, hands, feet, penis, vagina or anus.

Doctors say that not everyone with mpox develops all of the above symptoms. Here are some other symptoms of the disease.

  • A rash can be widespread, but some people only a have few bumps or blisters
  • Only a rash (no other symptoms), or other symptoms develop later
  • Flu-like symptoms, then a rash. Some people don’t get a rash at all.

Prevention of mpox

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of monkeypox. If you think you have an increased risk of developing mpox, you should consider getting vaccinated as this helps to stop the spread. Other ways to prevent the spread of the diseases include decreasing human contact with infected animals and reducing person-to-person spread.

World Health Organisation says, “Several antivirals, such as tecovirimat, originally developed to treat smallpox have been used to treat mpox and further studies are underway.”

2024-03-29T06:00:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd