The Mpox outbreak has put the world on alert. Read on to learn how experts explain how the Mpox virus spreads, treatment, and more.
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses as the virus responsible for smallpox. People infected with monkeypox typically develop a painful rash accompanied by other symptoms. This rash progresses through several stages, eventually forming scabs before healing completely. The rashes may be confused with other viral diseases such as chickenpox, measles, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and the like.
0 On 14 August 2024, the WHO declared the outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern. A major outbreak is occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Children are at higher risk of contracting the disease than adults. In the DRC, 70% of the 14,901 cases have occurred in children under 15 years of age, and 39% of these cases affected children under five years of age, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The mortality rate for children in the DRC is almost four times higher than that for adults. The most recent smallpox variant M, clade 1b, was identified in the DRC in September 2023 and has since been detected in neighbouring countries.
How to recognize Mpox?
According to Dr Manu Chaudhary, consultant and paediatric infectious disease specialist at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Marathahalli, Bangalore, common symptoms of Mpox include a rash with painful, pus-filled lesions, which usually appear on the face, hands and soles of the feet. Other common symptoms include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain and lack of energy. Identifying these symptoms can help you get the help you need right away.
How is M smallpox spread?
- M smallpox is closely related to the smallpox virus, which was eradicated worldwide in 1980.
- The virus can spread through close contact with an infected animal or person.
- Person-to-person transmission often occurs through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash, sores, or scabs.
- The virus can also spread through respiratory droplets or oral fluids during intimate sexual activities, including kissing and oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- The infection can be transmitted through contact with contaminated fabrics, objects or surfaces, such as clothing, bedding or towels.
- A patient with Mpox can spread the infection until all the scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms (about 3 weeks).
- The time from exposure to development of symptoms can vary between 5 and 21 days.
Treatment for Mpox
Patients with Mpox should seek medical attention if they have traveled to countries in central or western Africa, have been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected diagnosis of having the virus, or are men who have close or intimate contact with other men. It is important to inform the hospital in advance to arrange isolation and prevent the spread of the virus to healthcare workers and other patients.
Currently, there are no specific treatments for this disease and people diagnosed with the virus should isolate themselves at home and avoid intimate contact until their skin lesions have healed. Severe cases or immunocompromised patients, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or children under eight years of age may require antiviral medications or antibody treatments such as intravenous smallpox immunoglobulin. Tecovirimat (TPOXX) is an antiviral used for severe cases, while cidofovir and intravenous immunoglobulin are other options for children and immunocompromised patients.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 30 cases of mpox have been reported in India since 2022, the most recent in March 2024. Although vaccines such as JYNNEOS and LC16 offer some protection against mpox, they are not widely available in India. This situation highlights the importance of maintaining diligent public health measures and awareness, while avoiding unnecessary panic.
