MONKEYPOX

INTRODUCTION

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Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic virus and a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus in the family Poxviridae, although it is similar to human smallpox which has been eradicated, it is much milder.

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The monkeypox virus is transmitted to people from various wild animals but has limited secondary spread through human-to-human transmission.
One of the case disease in Nigeria which was first detected in Bayelsa state on September 22nd of 2017, and according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 31 suspected cases have been reported across seven states including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun and Cross River

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         TRANSMISSION 

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Animal to Human: Direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals and eating cooked meat of infected animals. Human to Human : Close contact with infected respiratory tract secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or objects recently contaminated by patient fluids or lesion materials.

           SYMPTOM 

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Monkeypox is usually from 6 to 16 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. The first stage appear with Fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph node, back pain, muscle ache and lack of energy The second stage (After 3-5), various stages of the rash appears, often beginning on the face and then spread on the body. The face (in 95% of cases), and palms of the hands and soles of the feet (75%) are most affected.

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          TREATMENT 

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No specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, but outbreaks can be controlled.

          PREVENTION 

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Practice good hand hygiene with or without contact with infected animals or humans. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

In the absence of specific treatment, the only way to reduce infection in people is by raising awareness of the risk factors and educating people about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the virus.
Avoid close contact with infected person, wearing of hand gloves and protective equipment when taking care of ill people.