The monkeypox virus, which started to appear in European countries and America, caused a new epidemic fear in the world. So what is monkeypox virus? Is it a deadly virus? Let’s look at all the details about the new virus, which is causing concern, through the official statements.
While the world has just begun to recover from the coronavirus epidemic that started at the end of 2019, there has been news of a different epidemic from many countries recently. such as Portugal, Spain and England. Europe and countries close to Europe, mostly seen in the African continent ‘monkey pox’ virus reported in their countries.
The virus in question has created a new fear in the world. Well, what about the monkeypox virus that caught the eye of the whole world and the same name caused by it? What is monkeypox disease? monkeypox virus How does it infect people?, What symptoms does it cause? Let’s take a closer look at the virus seen in America and Europe so far.
What is monkeypox virus?
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Monkeypox virus was first seen in 1958 in monkey colonies kept together for research. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the virus has been massively in Central and West African countries had been seen.
The appearance of the monkeypox virus outside of Africa was due to international travels and exported animals. To date, monkeypox virus has been reported in states such as the United States, Israel, Singapore and the United Kingdom. But these are a It didn’t turn into an epidemic.
Is monkeypox contagious? How is it found?
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According to the information shared by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the natural reservoir of the Monkeypox virus, that is, the population of organisms in which this virus mainly occurs and multiplies, is still unknown. On the other hand, the virus in African rodents and in non-human primates (like monkeys) and is known to be able to infect humans.
Monkeypox virus, a person by contact with an animal, human or material that has come into contact with the virus. it spreads. The virus can enter the human body through the skin, respiratory tract, eyes, nose and mouth. Transmission of the virus from animal to human occurs through biting, scratching, contact with wild animal flesh, direct contact with bodily fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material such as contaminated bedding.
- (Lesion: Tissue caused by certain diseases in the body.)
The method of transmission of the virus from person to person is usually large respiratory droplets is thought to be. Other methods include indirect or direct contact with bodily fluids and lesion material.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox virus?
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Monkey flower has an incubation period of 6-13 days. This period can also vary from 5 to 21 days. Monkeypox infection is divided into two periods in patients:
- Symptoms of fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, backache, muscle aches and lack of energyinvasion period‘,
- Beginning within 1-3 days of the onset of fever skin rash period. The rash can be seen more intensely on the face, hands and feet. The rash affected the face in 95% of recorded cases, and the palms and soles in 75%. However, the rash can be seen on the oral mucosa, genital area, cornea and mucus membrane of the eye.
The skin rash evolves into flat-bottomed lesions (macules), slightly raised hard lesions (papules), clear fluid-filled lesions (vesicles), yellowish-fluid-filled lesions (pustules), and crusts that dry and flake off. In severe cases, the lesions may coalesce until large sections of the skin are shed. Symptoms of monkeypox virus usually for 2 to 4 weeks can be seen.
Is the monkeypox virus deadly?
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In monkeypox virus case fatality ratein the general population Between 0% and 11% is located. The lethality of the virus can increase in young children. Also, people younger than 40-50 years old may be more susceptible to monkeypox due to the end of routine smallpox vaccination worldwide. This may vary depending on the country in which people live.
Is there a cure for the monkeypox virus?
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for monkey flower right now There is no recommended treatment. On the other hand, vaccination against smallpox can help prevent monkeypox. about 85% effective proven by several observational studies. Therefore, people who are vaccinated against smallpox may survive this disease more mildly.
But today, first-generation smallpox vaccines are no longer made available to the public. A newer vaccinia-based vaccine was approved for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in 2019. This vaccine is not yet widely available to the public.
How to protect yourself from monkeypox virus?
- Avoid contact with animals that may harbor the virus (including animals that are sick or dead in areas with monkeypox)
- Avoid contact with any material or item, such as bedding, that has come into contact with a sick animal.
- Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals and people. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Resources: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO)