Young men are at risk.
Recently, several dozen cases have been recorded in the world monkeypox disease. This disease is directly related to smallpox, which was eradicated in the 1970s. The disease is mostly found in Central and West Africa, countries with humid climates, but has recently been reported in Europe.
which will discuss the problem of monkeypox. The main issues to be discussed will be how the virus has spread, the extremely high incidence of gay and bisexual men, and the vaccine situation.
Read also: New versions of Omicron will cause new waves of COVID-19
What is known about the disease
According to The Conversation, monkeypox was the first registered in laboratory primates in the 1950s. However, scientists are not sure that monkeys are the main reservoir animals (carriers) of the virus, it is likely that the name is incorrect. In further research, scientists found that the main reservoir is smaller animals such as rodents.
Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is not easily transmitted from person to person. It requires direct contact with the animal carrier, close contact with an infected person or “fomites” (contaminated clothing, towels, furniture).
The incidence of the last outbreak is different because it is likely that the virus is sexually transmitted. In the UK, for example, four out of seven cases have been reported among gays, bisexuals or other men who have had sex with men. Infections in Spain have also probably been linked to similar routes of transmission.
The disease is also not asymptomatic. At the same time, there is very little data on monkeypox, a new outbreak can tell more about it.
Symptoms of the disease
Monkeypox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox, but it is less contagious. The sick person develops fever, characteristic rashes and blisters, headache and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes. As a rule, the disease passes by itself, the symptoms disappear in a few days.
However, monkeypox can be severe, in which case the mortality rate is 1-15%. Severe illness and death among children are most likely.
In which countries have monkeypox cases been reported
At present, more than 60 cases of infection are known in different countries around the world. Thus, the alleged monkeypox has been reported in the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. On the morning of May 20, the Australian authorities announced that they were investigating a possible case of registration of the disease, the man fell ill after traveling to Europe.
Is there a risk of mass infection
Currently, the probability of infecting a large number of people is estimated to be low. However, although smallpox vaccines exist, specific monkeypox vaccines have not yet been developed. Some scientists believe that the cessation of widespread smallpox vaccination could weaken the collective immunity against monkeypox, making further infections more likely.
Important! This publication is based on the latest and current scientific research in the field of medicine and is exclusively general information. Publication cannot be a basis for making any diagnoses. If you get sick or need a diagnosis, see a doctor!
