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Journalism of Courage
The WHO has declared monkeypox, which has badly affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa, to be a public health emergency of international concern. This is the second time the viral infection has been designated such.
At least 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to monkeypox have been reported from 116 countries since 2022, according to WHO data. What seems to be worrisome is the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the virus.
What is monkeypox?
It is a self-limiting viral infection caused by an orthopoxvirus and causes fever, enlarged lymph nodes and a painful rash that forms blisters and then crusts over. Though self-limiting, it can lead to death, especially among children and those with weak immune systems.
What is the reason for the current concern?
The current concern stems from the rapidly-spreading new clade (a certain grouping of microbes). This is clade (lb), which gets transmitted predominantly through sexual contact. The risk assessment of another clade (Ia), which is spreading mostly in children through multiple modes of transmission, has also been considered to be high.
“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Are we at risk?
While cases haven’t yet been reported from the country, it may come in owing to travel. At least 27 laboratory confirmed cases and one death due to monkeypox has been reported from India since 2022, according to the WHO data. The initial cases in 2022 were reported from Kerala where the patients had a history of international travel and others from Delhi where the patients did not. That’s why we need to be vigilant.
How is monkeypox transmitted?
Monkeypox spreads from person to person through close contact with someone who has a rash, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. People are generally considered infectious until all of their lesions have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath
What are symptoms?
The first invasion period, between 0-5 days, is characterised by fever, headache and lymph node swelling, the last a tell-tale sign. Skin eruptions show up within two days of fever. The rash is more concentrated on the face but can also be found in the palm and sole of the feet. Also affects the oral mucous membrane, the conjunctiva, cornea of the eye and the genital area.
How to test for monkeypox?
Since these are DNA viruses, we need a PCR test.
