Monkeypox is a disease that only affects monkeys, and it can only be transmitted to humans after prolonged contact with an infected animal. However, if the conditions are right, such as occurs in a residential home or school, it’s possible for human-to-human transmission to occur.
Although monkeypox poses little risk to healthy adults, individuals with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions can develop serious complications from this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised healthcare providers to be aware of the potential for human infections of monkeypox if situations arise where there is frequent exposure to infected animals.
This article explains what you need to know about transmission of monkey pox and the risks associated with it.
Transmission of Monkey pox: Why You Should Care?
Monkey pox is a rare viral disease that occurs almost exclusively in monkeys. In humans, it’s most commonly found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and south-central Asia. While the virus rarely causes serious illness, there are some unique aspects of monkey pox that make it worth knowing about. Unlike other viruses, such as Smallpox or Measles, the transmission of Monkey pox poses a unique challenge.
Unlike those more well-known diseases, Monkey pox is not easily transmitted from human to human. However, the way it is spread means there are some very specific things you should know if you live in an area where there have been cases of this virus recently, or if you plan on traveling to one soon.
What is the Cause of Monkeypox?
The virus that causes Monkey pox is called “Poxvirus”. Poxviruses have been around for millions of years. Historically, people are more likely to have been familiar with poxviruses that cause Smallpox and Chickenpox. In recent years, there have been a few more cases of a poxvirus that causes Swinepox, and now, Monkey pox.
The only animals that can spread the infection to people are rodents and primates. The latter includes monkeys and humans. The virus can be found in the blood and other bodily fluids of infected animals. It is not clear how the virus gets from infected animals to humans. But it is thought that it is most likely to be spread through direct contact with infected blood, feces or saliva, or through skin sores caused by bites or scratches from an infected animal.
How is Monkeypox Transmitted?
The way that Monkeypox is transmitted is quite different from what is seen with many other viral diseases. This is because Monkeypox is primarily transmitted by blood, feces or saliva, rather than by direct contact with an infected person. Transmission by blood, feces or saliva leaves open the possibility of infection with a very small amount of the virus.
Given these facts, the people who are at greatest risk of getting sick from Monkey pox are those whose job brings them into contact with infected animals or bodily fluids. This includes things like laboratory workers, wildlife researchers, and people who work in zoos. It is important to note that the main risk for transmission is among people who work with infected animals. The vast majority of people who might happen to come into contact with an infected animal are not at risk for getting sick.
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox?
The illness caused by Monkeypox is generally mild and resolves without treatment. People who become sick with Monkeypox usually experience fever, malaise, headache, and muscle aches, followed by the formation of pox-like lesions. Most people who become infected with the Monkeypox virus will have no symptoms at all.
In the few cases where there are symptoms, those symptoms usually appear within 10 days after the person was exposed to the virus. The symptoms usually last from 3 to 5 days, with a rash appearing at the end of this period.
Is There a Cure for Money pox?
There is no specific treatment for Monkey pox. People who get sick with the virus will first need to get better on their own. They then will need to stay away from other people until the blisters have dried up. The reason for this is that the blisters of a person who has Monkey pox are infectious.
Although there is no treatment for Monkey pox, there is a vaccine that can prevent disease. The vaccine is usually given as a two-dose injection series, with the first dose given between 3 and 6 months before exposure, and the second dose given 4 weeks after the first. The vaccine is very effective at preventing the disease.
Is There Any Good News About Monkey pox?
The good news about Monkey pox is that it is not a very severe illness. Most people who get sick with the virus will recover without any lasting effects. This means that Monkey pox is not a serious public health threat. It also means that, generally, people who become sick with the virus are unlikely to infect many other people.
Additionally, it is very easy to prevent getting sick with Monkey pox if you are at risk for exposure. This can be done with a vaccine, which is very effective. People who work with animals that might be infected with Monkey pox should be vaccinated against the virus.
The Importance of Being Aware and Taking Action
The importance of being aware and taking action when it comes to Monkey pox cannot be overstated. It is important to be aware of the fact that Monkey pox exists. It is also important to know what the transmission of Monkey pox looks like, and to know who might be at risk for infection and transmission of the virus.
If you live in an area where there have been cases of Monkey pox, or if you travel often to such areas, it is important to stay aware and take action by making sure you are vaccinated against the virus. This will help to reduce the risk of infection, and thus the transmission of the virus, among people who work with animals that might be infected.