In wake of rising monkeypox cases in Europe and North America authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have issued an advisory and directed concerned officials to isolate suspected cases immediately.
“As you are aware, there is recent outbreak of Monkeypox cases in Europe as well as United States and Australia. This is Zoonotic disease, first identified in monkeys and it is also spread by rodents. The clinical presentation of Monkeypox resembles that of Smallpox,” reads the letter issued to Chief Medical Officers of Jammu division by Dr. Harjeet Rai Epidemiologist/SSO IDSP Jammu Division.
“On 20″ of May, 2022, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) Gol issued interim Health Advisory regarding the Monkeypox. This office has prepared a Power point presentation in detail on the subject. You are requested to kindly disseminate the advisory among all health care workers of your district for their sensitisation and further necessary action,” it adds.
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WHAT IS THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK?
Monkeypox belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae which also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.
Monkeypox typically causes fever, chills, rash, and lesions on the face or genitals. WHO estimates the disease is fatal for up to one in 10 people.
According to the US-based Centre for Disease Control & Prevention, while the natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbor the virus and infect people.
Most human cases have been in central and west Africa, where the disease is endemic.
SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX
Monkeypox is characterised by similar symptoms as those seen in smallpox and begins with a fever. Headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion can also be experienced.
The main difference between symptoms of smallpox and monkeypox is that monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not, the CDC notes.
The incubation period for the disease is usually 714 days but can range from 521 days. The rash appears after 1 to 3 days of developing a fever that begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body.
“The illness typically lasts for 24 weeks. In Africa, monkeypox has been shown to cause death in as many as 1 in 10 persons who contract the disease,” the CDC says.
TREATMENT FOR MONKEYPOX
People exposed to the virus are often given one of several smallpox vaccines, which have been shown to be effective against monkeypox. Anti-viral drugs are also being developed.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has recommended all suspected cases be isolated and that high-risk contacts be offered the smallpox vaccine.
Cause For Concern?
For a world still reeling from the effects of COVID-19 this epidemic of monkeypox is not good news.
The sudden jump in cases outside Africa has world leaders worried as US President Joe Biden on Sunday said that recent cases of monkeypox that have been identified in Europe and the United States were something “to be concerned about.”
“It is a concern in that if it were to spread it would be consequential. They haven’t told me the level of exposure yet but it is something that everybody should be concerned about,” the President said when asked about the disease.
Meanwhile, British health officials are exploring whether the disease is being sexually transmitted. Health officials have asked doctors and nurses to be on alert for potential cases but said the risk to the general population is low.
