Monkeypox

• Monkeypox is a viral disease common to monkeys and rodents. There is a slight chance that this disease can be spread to humans on contact with the blood or fluids of infected animals. Its symptoms are similar to smallpox. However, they are not as severe, with those infected only at a 1-10% risk of dying from the disease.
• There are not currently any specific vaccinations or treatments available for the prevention of this disease. Its spread can be managed with a smallpox vaccination which is effective in 85% of cases.

• Symptoms of monkeypox
• High risk groups
• Monkeypox prevention
• Treating monkeypox

At the end of last April, there was yet another case of human monkeypox discovered in a 38-year old Nigerian man who was in Singapore at the time. It is thought that the man contracted the virus through eating contaminated meat at a wedding he attended in Nigeria. When it was discovered that the man had the virus, the Singapore authorities quarantined him to contain the infection and provide treatment for his condition.

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 during the outbreak of a pox-like disease occurring in an area where monkeys were being kept for research premises. In 1970, the first human case was reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to medical staff renaming the disease to human monkeypox. The disease has mostly been confined to countries in central and western Africa and, after that initial case, there have been three more occasions where the disease has been found to have spread to humans.

The risk of fatality is just 1-10% in humans who contract human monkeypox, with most of those who die from the disease being infants.

Monkeypox is an extremely tough condition to diagnose with symptoms only becoming apparent 12 days after the virus has been contracted. Those symptoms are similar to smallpox, with the following characteristics being common:

• Fever, shivering, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain and exhaustion, while some cases may also include cough or back pain. 
• 1-3 days after the fever patients will notice a rash that begins on the face and spreads to various other areas of the body.
• Those rashes will then turn into sores which eventually burst and flake away, with the symptoms lasting around 2-4 weeks. 
• Patients usually make a full recovery by themselves. In people with weak immune systems or chronic health disorders, the disease may lead to dangerous complications, such as pneumonia or death.

Thailand is yet to see its first case of this disease due to this country not having a history of such viral infections. However, traveling to high-risk countries for tourism or business purposes could place people at risk of contracting the disease and bringing it back into the kingdom upon their return. High-risk groups therefore include people who travel to countries where the infection is active or who come into contact with people who have been to those countries, such as foreign laborers or Thais working abroad, tourists, tourism operators and people who travel on business.

• Avoid contact with infected animals, especially monkeys and rats.
• Avoid direct contact with infected patients or their possessions, including being in close proximity to their breath.
• Be sure to wash your hands carefully with soap or gels each and every time after you have contact with animals or with objects used by the wider public. 
• Wear a protective mask that covers your nose and mouth should you need to enter an area which is at risk of an outbreak.
• In cases of contact with infected patients, ensure they are kept separate from other patients.
• Vaccinating against smallpox, while not specifically designed to protect against monkeypox, can be effective in reducing the chance of infection from human monkeypox. Nevertheless, vaccinations should only be administered to those working in high risk areas, including those working with infected people or animals. To be effective, this vaccine should be given to patients no more than 14 days after contracting the virus.

There are not currently any specific vaccinations or treatments available for the prevention of this disease but its spread can be managed with a smallpox vaccination which is effective in 85% of cases.

It is crucial that people understand this disease is not spread exclusively from animals to humans as it can also be spread from humans to humans. Therefore, those who are required to travel to countries where this disease is present, should pay close attention to the latest news regarding outbreaks. As an even better alternative, they should consult with their doctor and pediatrician to be sure that they are safe to travel as this will help protect them from contracting the disease.