The WHO declared Monkey Pox as a global health emergency as the number of cases continues to rise worldwide. The last time the WHO said such an emergency was probably during the early days of the COVID pandemic. There were obviously mixed signals during that time from CDC and later the accompanying WHO.
What is Monkey Pox?
Monkey Pox is caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic infection, meaning that it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread from person to person.
What are its symptoms?
The primary symptom of Monkey Pox is a rash. The rash can manifest on any parts of the body. It could be a rash on the face, inside the mouth. It could also manifest itself on feet, chest, genitals or anus.
Other symptoms include:
Fever
Headache
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Exhaustion
Chills
Muscle Ache and Back ache
I think I have Monkey Pox!! What do I do?
Well, the basic solution is to go see a doctor. If you have self-diagnosed or strongly think that you might have Monkey Pox it is imperative that you remind your healthcare professional that Monkey Pox exists.
One of the biggest threats to Monkey Pox is the lack of awareness surrounding the disease. Much like in the early stages of COVID-19, the general public seems completely oblivious to the problems arising from Monkey Pox and how it could be a real threat to the world health order.
How does Monkey Pox spread?
The spread of this disease seems to be vast and varied. It can spread if you touch the rash. It can spread from sexual transmission (even hugging and cuddling!). It can spread from close contact with animals and pets.
There’s an urgent need for quarantine and isolation as one of the mosteffective methods to contain the spread of this disease. WHO has already declared Monkey Pox as a global emergency, so it is interesting what that brings forth in terms of different countries’ actions and responsibilities.
How long does Monkey Pox last?
Monkey Pox usually lasts 1-2 weeks. People who do not display any symptoms cannot spread it to others. So it is important to get yourself checked once you display some of the Monkey Pox symptoms.
Does MonkeyPox have a vaccine?
Monkey pox is very similar to Small Pox and as such the recommended vaccine for Monkey Pox is similar to that of Small Pox. The US government has stockpiled JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 as the two vaccines that could help prevent the disease.
Overall Monkey pox requires close contact for it to spread - this means it's ability to spread is less than COVID-19 which caused a massive panic across the global economy. However, the virus' less spreadability also means that it can be more lethal than COVID19.
You can find more information about Monkey Pox on the CDC government website here.
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