MONKEYPOX. After England, Canada, Spain and Portugal, the United States reports a case of monkeypox infection also called “Monkeypox”. This virus can be transmitted to humans by rodents or monkeys. What’s this ? What symptoms? Treatments? Is it dangerous? Contagious ? We take stock.
The monkeypox virus or virus “Monkeypox” is the origin of a infectious disease transmitted to humans by animals, especially rodents and monkeys. The first human cases of infection were detected in 1970, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On May 16, 2022, theBritish Agency health safety (UKHSA) reported 9 cases of Monkeypox “mainly in homosexuals, bisexuals or men who have sex with other men. The last 2 cases have no travel link to a country where monkeypox is endemic, so it is possible that they acquired the infection through community transmission.” On May 18, 2022, the Canada, Spain and Portugal have announced that it had detected cases of monkey pox. The UNITED STATES reported a first case on May 19. Cases have already been reported in 2003 on the American continent. If transmission is possible, “the contamination between humans is limited“ explains the World Health Organization (WHO). There is no no vaccine against Monkeypox but the one against smallpox would be 85% effective according to thePastor Institute. The rate of mortality of the disease is about 1 in 10 people. What’s this monkey pox? What are the symptoms ? How is it transmitted to humans? What treatments to cure her? What is the situation in France ? Is this virus dangerous ?
Definition: what is monkeypox?
“L’simian orthopox virusor “monkey pox”, is a rare viral zoonosis (virus transmitted to humans by animals) which is mainly observed in isolated areas of central and western Africaclose to tropical rainforests” indicates theWHO. “The african rodents and non-human primates (such as monkeys) can harbor the virus and infect humans“says the United States Agency for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The first human case was detected in 1970, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a 9-year-old boy living in an area where smallpox had been eliminated since 1968.
Are there cases of monkeypox in France?
As of May 19, 2022, In no case monkeypox has been reported in France.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
The incubation period of the disease ranges from 6 to 16 days but can be up to 3 weeks. Symptoms resemble those of patients with smallpox, but lighter. In the first 5 days, the infection causes several symptoms:
- fever
- headache
- adenopathy (swollen glands)
- back pain
- myalgia (muscle aches)
- asthenia (exhaustion)
We also find rash symptoms (rash) in several stages (face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, etc.):
- smudges
- papules
- vesicles
- pustules
- scabs
Transmission: how do you get infected with monkeypox?
“The virus is mainly transmitted to humans from various wild animalsrodents or primates for example, but secondary spread by human-to-human transmission is limited” reassures the WHO. The infection is caused by a direct contact with blood, body fluids, or broken skin or mucous membranes of infected animals. “In Africa, human infections have been documented as a result of handling infected monkeys, Gambian giant rats and squirrels, with rodents thought to be the main reservoir of the virus. The consumption of meat from infected animals undercooked is a possible risk factor“ develops WHO. Human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplet particles. According to researchers from thePastor Institutetransmission of monkeypox virus outside of Africa”is probably due to global decline in immunity to viruses of the orthopoxvirus genus (responsible for human smallpox), followingstopping smallpox vaccinationin the 1980s. Monkeypox could therefore become the most important orthopoxvirus infection in humans”.
Is monkeypox contagious?
There may be transmission of the disease between men, for example within the same family via exposure to respiratory droplets from the infected person, this generally requires a prolonged face-to-face contact” points out the WHO. It can also occur by inoculation or through the placenta (congenital monkeypox).
Diagnosing the disease requires a analysis of the virus in the laboratory.
What is the treatment for monkeypox?
“There is no no specific treatment or vaccine although smallpox vaccination has been shown to be very effective in preventing monkeypox as well” emphasizes the WHO. Monkeypox is a disease whose patient usually heals spontaneously in two to three weeks.
Is there a monkeypox vaccine?
There is no no vaccine against monkeypox virus. However, “the smallpox vaccine was 85% effective against “monkeypox“, say researchers from the Institut Pasteur.
Is monkeypox fatal?
“The rate of mortality during outbreaks of monkeypox has become established between 1% and 10%, most of death occurring in young people“says the WHO.”The illness usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. In Africa, monkeypox has been shown to cause the death of at least 1 in 10 people who contracts the disease” establishes the CDC.
Sources:
– Monkeypox, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
– Simian orthopoxvirus, WHO, June 6, 2018
– Pastor Institute