Monkeypox is a rare virus infection, which occurs in monkeys in the rainforests of central and western Africa, and can also infect other animals and occasionally humans.
The name of monkeypox virus comes from 1958, the animal that first isolated and identified this virus. Although called monkeypox, monkeys are not the main natural hosts, but African rodents. 1970, monkeypox virus was isolated from human for the first time, and it was found that monkeypox virus could infect human.
Therefore, the epidemic situation of monkeypox virus is usually the result of local spillover events of rodents.
From 2065438+September 2007 to 2065438+August 2008, 3 1, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control recorded 262 suspected cases of monkeypox, including 1 13 confirmed cases and 7 deaths. After human beings are infected with monkeypox, the initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, lymphadenopathy, chills and fatigue. 1 ~ 3 days after fever, a rash appeared, which started as maculopapules and quickly developed into herpes, forming pustules and local lymph node enlargement. Finally, the scab falls off.
Proportion of signs and symptoms of confirmed monkeypox cases in Nigeria from September 20 17 to September 20 18.
The rash usually starts on the face and then spreads to the limbs. Rashes can also appear in the mouth and genitals. But it can also start from other parts of the body.
The epidemic in Nigeria shows that rashes may occur in all parts of the body. Body parts are in order of severity: face, legs, trunk, arms, palms, genitals, soles of feet,
Clinical photos of patients with monkeypox
The rash lasted for 2-4 weeks. In addition to the possibility of leaving scars and dull skin, patients usually recover completely within 4 weeks after symptoms appear. Symptoms are similar to those of smallpox patients, and the incubation period is 7 ~ 14 days. So it is also called "monkey smallpox".
This disease caused by orthopoxvirus is usually self-limited, although its mortality rate is 1- 10%. The larger mortality interval is mainly due to the fact that monkeypox virus has two branches: West Africa branch and Central Africa branch.
The mortality rate of West African branch is low, about1%;
Central Africa Branch reached 10%.
Note: The mortality rate of infected children is very high.
Image source @ CDC
Fortunately-
As of May 2 1 day, three research groups from Portugal, Belgium and the United States published the preliminary results of gene sequencing of infected people in recent monkey pox epidemics around the world. The DNA sequences of the three monkeypox viruses showed homology, belonging to mild West African strains, and were closely related to the monkeypox viruses found in Britain, Singapore and Israel on 20 18 and 20 19. Like smallpox, monkeypox virus is a DNA virus, and its mutation rate is very slow, far less than that of COVID-19 virus. The sequencing confirmed the point of almost zero variation. According to the latest statistics of WHO, as of May 2 1 day, 12 non-monkeypox endemic countries reported 29 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases.
Transmission path:
Monkeypox virus is highly contagious, and the infection rate between people is about 4%~ 12%. The virus can be spread by droplets, or by direct contact with infected body fluids and articles contaminated by the virus. Some people suspect that sexual transmission may be a way, but this suspicion is unfounded. In addition, transmission may also be through inoculation or vertical transmission through the placenta. Although monkeypox virus can spread from person to person, its spreading power is limited. However, due to careful consideration, patients should be isolated.
Of course, there is no need to panic about monkeypox.
I believe many people are scared by the pictures. Because it depends on whether you have been vaccinated or infected with the virus strain. Although there is no specific treatment for human monkeypox infection at present. However, because it is also orthopoxvirus, smallpox vaccine has a high degree of cross-protection against monkeypox, with an effective rate of 85%. In addition, monkeypox itself is a self-limiting disease, and patients usually recover completely within 4 weeks after symptoms appear and have been immunized for life.
Here's the problem-
China stopped vaccination against smallpox in 198 1 because who announced the global eradication of smallpox in 1970. Nowadays, the scars on many people's arms are actually left by BCG vaccination and have nothing to do with smallpox vaccine.
How to prevent:
① Preventing monkeypox from spreading through animal trade or prohibiting the activities of small mammals and monkeys in Africa can effectively slow down the spread of the virus outside Africa. Infected animals should be isolated from other animals and immediately. Animals that may have had contact with infected animals should be quarantined for 30 days and the symptoms of monkeypox should be observed. ② Reduce the risk of human infection.
When monkeypox is prevalent, avoid close contact with patients. Strengthen the monitoring and quarantine of high-risk groups such as staff in pet shops and animal feeding facilities.
References:
1. monkeypox case-UK monkeypox case
2. WHO: Monkeypox Press Room/Fact Sheet/Details/Monkeypox
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