Monkeypox is a rare disease that was first discovered among monkeys in Africa in the 1970s. Since then, there have been occasional outbreaks of the disease, mostly in isolated areas. The good news is that you probably won’t be able to catch monkeypox from your pet monkey. The bad news is that it appears to be spreading like wildfire through non-human primates all over the world.
We’re not entirely sure how it’s spreading so quickly and so widely, but we do know that it’s almost certainly being spread by those same squirrels, rats, and other small mammals we see all over our backyards every day. For now, there isn’t much risk of contracting or transmitting monkeypox if you live in an urban or suburban area. But as more and more people move out into rural areas, it could become a serious concern for many communities in North America – especially given how dangerous this virus can be when contracted by humans.
How Monkeys Are Spreading Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a rare type of smallpox that cannot be transmitted from person to person. It only affects apes, monkeys, and humans. In humans, it usually causes an infection in the skin and pimples, but it can also cause more serious effects such as blindness or death.
The virus responsible for monkey pox is called “variola minor” because it is a much milder strain of smallpox (“major”). This strain of the virus has been found in different types of New World monkeys and has recently been spreading among them.
It’s natural for people to fear any animal that could potentially spread an epidemic or pandemic to human populations. However, this fear is compounded by the negative reputation these creatures have accumulated over time due to stories and fairytales. Let’s take a closer look at how monkeys are spreading Monkeypox and why you should not be afraid…
Where did Monkeypox Come From?
Monkeypox is a rare type of smallpox that can only be spread by New World monkeys (western hemisphere) and a few species of shrews and gerbils in Asia. Humans can get infected by handling sick or dead monkeys, or by being bitten by a sick animal. Humans cannot transmit monkeypox to each other. Monkeypox was first “discovered” in 1959 when it infected a group of lab monkeys in the United States.
Due to the fact that smallpox vaccines have been eradicated for a few decades now, scientists believe that the virus was probably introduced to the United States through African rodents imported for the pet trade. They think that these rodents became ill and died, and that their corpses were later used as food by African palm squirrels imported for the pet trade. Once introduced into the pet trade, the virus probably escaped into the wild, where it infected and was then spread by wild palm squirrels, African rodents and other New World monkeys.
How Do Monkeys Contract Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is usually transmitted by contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected animals. Humans can become infected through broken skin or by coming into contact with droplets from coughs or sneezes. Transmission can also occur when handling items that have been contaminated by infected animals.
Humans can prevent transmission by wearing gloves and taking appropriate precautions when handling potentially infected animals. Monkeypox is not highly contagious, and transmission can be reduced by taking proper precautions when dealing with potentially infected animals. Effective hygiene and sanitary practices are important for preventing transmission.
Why Are Monkeys Spreading Monkey pox?
New World monkeys have been found to be hosts for monkey pox since its discovery in the 1950s. It is unclear why the virus has recently started to spread among wild monkey populations, but since there is no specific treatment for monkey pox, it is important to take preventative measures to avoid contracting the virus.
To avoid contracting monkey pox, it is important to avoid contact with sick or dead monkeys. If you come across a dead monkey, do not handle the body, and do not attempt to move it. Sick or injured monkeys should be reported to wildlife officials.
What are the Symptoms of Monkeypox in Humans?
After an incubation period of 10 to 21 days, the initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, muscle aches, and headaches. The rash then appears, starting on the face and upper body. The rash spreads, sometimes covering the entire body, and may fade and become blistered. Other symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes, cough, and general discomfort. There have been no reported cases of death from monkeypox in the United States, but the disease can be severe in people who have certain health conditions or who lack a strong immune system.
Other ways monkeys are spreading infection
– Airborne transmission: Unlike the variola major virus that causes smallpox, there is no evidence that variola minor can be transmitted by airborne particles, although research is ongoing.
– Droplets: While the virus-containing droplets that transmit the disease cannot travel very far, they can be propelled by a cough or a sneeze and can travel several inches through the air to another surface where they can survive for long periods.
– Direct contact: The virus-containing droplets that transmit the disease are not very contagious, and are likely to die out very quickly. However, the monkey pox virus can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, contaminated materials and surfaces, or through broken skin.
Bottom Line
Monkey pox is a rare type of smallpox that cannot be transmitted from person to person. It only affects apes, monkeys, and humans. In humans, it usually causes an infection in the skin and pimples, but it can also cause more serious effects such as blindness or death. The virus responsible for monkey pox is called “variola minor” because it is a much milder strain of smallpox (“major”). This strain of the virus has been found in different types of New World monkeys and has recently been spreading among them.
Monkey pox is usually transmitted by contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected animals. Humans can become infected through broken skin or by coming into contact with droplets from coughs or sneezes. Transmission can also occur when handling items that have been contaminated by infected animals. Humans can prevent transmission by wearing gloves and taking appropriate precautions when handling potentially infected animals.