Monkeypox

Why in news?

• Health authorities in the United Kingdom have confirmed a case of Monkeypox, a rare viral infection similar to smallpox in an individual who recently travelled to the UK from Nigeria.

About Monkeypox:

• Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted from infected animals to humans) that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
• Monkeypox belongs to the orthopoxvirus, which is a genus of viruses that also includes the variola virus which causes smallpox.
• First Discovered in 1958 following two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in colonies of monkeys kept for research — which led to the name ‘monkeypox’.

Source of Transmission:

• Human-to-human transmission is very limited. However, transmission, when it occurs, can be through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.
• The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox.
• Treatment:
  • There is no safe, proven treatment for monkeypox yet.
  • The WHO recommends supportive treatment depending on the symptoms.
• Mortality Rate:
  • According to the WHO, the proportion of patients who die has varied between 0 and 11% in documented cases, and has been higher among young children.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding Monkeypox

1. It is a viral zoonotic disease

2. It occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer