Monkey pox (Mpox); A lurking threat to global health

The World Health Organization announced in recent weeks that the increasing spread of monkey pox (Mpox) in Africa has created a global health emergency. Unfortunately, it has been warned that this virus may eventually spread to international borders.

Key facts about monkey pox (Mpox)

Monkey pox (Mpox) is a viral disease caused by the monkey pox virus, a species of the genus Ortho Poxvirus. There are two different types: clade I and clade II
Common symptoms of monkey pox (Mpox) include: skin or mucous lesions that can last for 2 to 4 weeks along with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
Monkey pox (Mpox) can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infected person, contaminated materials or infected animals.
Laboratory confirmation of monkey pox (Mpox) is done by testing a sample taken from a skin lesion and using the PCR method.
Monkey pox (Mpox) is treated with supportive care. Vaccines and drugs developed for smallpox and approved for use in some countries can be used for monkeypox in some situations.
In 2022 to 2023, a global outbreak of monkey pox (Mpox) by a strain called clade
IIb was created.

By avoiding physical contact with a person who has monkey pox (Mpox), the transmission of monkey pox can be prevented.
Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk.

In the following, an overview of this disease has been discussed.

Everything about the rare disease monkey pox (mpox)

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. This virus belongs to the same family that causes the smallpox virus. Although this disease is mainly observed in certain regions of Africa, it has also been reported in other parts of the world in recent years. People with Mpox often experience flu-like symptoms, including fever and chills, along with skin lesions that may last for weeks. It is important to know that this disease has nothing to do with chicken pox and usually recovers without the need for special treatment.

Mpox virus is transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal and has two known types: one originating in Central Africa (Clade I) and the other from West Africa (Clade II). The most recent global outbreak, which started in 2022, was caused by Clade IIb, which is a subtype of the West African type and is less severe.

Although monkeypox is a rare disease, the number of cases is increasing in Africa, even in areas that have not previously encountered the infection. This disease, which was mainly seen in Africa and mostly in children under 15 years of age, has now spread in recent years in various countries including the United States, Europe and Australia.