What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Viruses are present in the atmosphere and keep on emerging from time to time, their appearance keeps on impacting human life. M-pox, or monkeypox, is one of these viruses, which was first identified in 1958, with the first case found in 1970. Recently it reappeared in 2022 and again this year with a yet powerful strain.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently declared it a global public health emergency due to its rapidly rising cases and fatalities worldwide, especially in African countries. Let us understand more about the disease from Dr. Rajesh Meena, an infectious disease specialist at Moolchand Hospital in Delhi who discussed its symptoms and treatment with The New Indian.
Dr Meena explained, “M-pox, or monkeypox, is a disease caused by a virus from the Orthopoxvirus family, which also includes the smallpox virus. It is a physically transmittable disease, often spread through close contact with the belongings of an infected person, such as sharing clothing or bedding.
It is not easily spread through casual contact, but if someone is nearby—within 6 feet—of an infected person for more than 3 hours, transmission can occur. In 2022, many cases were associated with sexual contact, through the sharing of bodily fluids and secretions.”
The doctor further discussed the symptoms, stating, “A person infected with this virus may experience symptoms such as rashes, lesions, fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms typically develop within one to four weeks, which is the incubation period.
Although similar to smallpox, monkeypox can be distinguished by its larger and deeper lesions and swollen lymph nodes.”
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Dr. Meena states that prevention is straightforward, as the virus is not as easily spread as COVID-19. Physical contact is the primary mode of transmission, so identifying and quarantining infected individuals for at least four weeks is crucial.
Treatment is already available; since the disease is similar to smallpox, the smallpox vaccine can be administered either before exposure or within four days after exposure.
