As the world began to ease its way out of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 and 2022, scientists became globally aware of a new disease with the potential to reach epidemic status. Given the way misinformation is routinely spread throughout social media and word of mouth in this day and age, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have clarified their position on monkeypox.
Firstly, the WHO says that monkeypox is a self-limited disease with symptoms usually being present for a duration of 2-4 weeks. The infection can be divided into two periods of incubation. The invasion period tends to last for up to five days and is the time of the most intense symptoms, whereas the skin eruption period usually begins with three days of the fever appearing.
Monkeypox has a mortality rate in recent times of 3-6% and is transmitted similarly to COVID-19, through close contact with infected persons or with contaminated surfaces.
Human monkeypox was first identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and since then, most cases have been reported in central and west Africa. However, in recent years the virus has been detected in non-endemic countries such as the United Kingdom and United States. Studies are ongoing in an attempt to fully understand the transition patterns and sources of infection.
Vaccines developed during the smallpox epidemic of the 1970s and early 1980s have provided a degree of protection against monkeypox, whilst a new vaccine has been approved for prevention of the virus. An antiviral agent developed for smallpox treatment has also been authorised for the treatment for monkeypox.
Symptoms usually include the emergence of a fever, rash and/or swollen lymph nodes – making its clinical presentation very similar to smallpox. However, the WHO has determined that monkeypox is less contagious and also causes less severe illness in the majority of cases.
If you feel you may be suffering from a case of monkeypox, dial 111 and speak to a medical operator before taking further action.