What is monkeypox?
It is a rare zoonotic disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. It occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
Mode of transmission
Animal-to-human: Through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, cutaneous or mucosal lesions of an infected animal or eating insufficiently cooked meat from an infected animal.
Human-to-human: (Rare) Through close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or contaminated objects.
Incubation period
The interval from infection to onset of symptoms is usually from: 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days
Signs and Symptoms:
Fever, Exhaustion, Lymphadenopathy, Back and muscle aches, Intense headaches, Skin rash which usually begins within 1-3 days of fever
Prevention
Keep your hands clean by washing them for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Preventing animal-to-human transmission
Avoid contact with wild animals(alive or dead). Cook meat properly. Avoid contact with any objects that have been in contact with a sick animal.
Preventing human-to-human transmission
Avoid contact with any person that has a rash. Avoid contact with any object that has been in contact with a sick person.
Treatment
It is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Symptomatic supportive care is to be considered.
You need to know that:
The health authorities in UAE are currently studying and evaluating the situation. Avoid spreading rumors and seek information from official channels. The risk of getting infected or the risk of an outbreak is minimal as transmission requires close contact with the infected person or the person's contaminated objects.
News Source: DHA
