The Pox returns through a related ‘avatar’ - the monkeypox virus.

The Pox returns through a related ‘avatar’ – the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus spread is currently not a major challenge since it does not get spread through air. Hence, the chances of a major monkeypox pandemic are rare. Nevertheless, it always better to take health precautions and stay safe.

For 3000 years the contagious viral disease small pox that disfigures humans and has caused millions of human deaths for centuries was stopped thanks to small pox vaccination. Edward Jenner who observed that milkmaids never got the small pox due to buildup of natural immunity through exposure to the related virus: cowpox, saved humanity from pox disease, by inventing the small pox vaccination method. The pox disease however, seems to be making a comeback through a related ‘avatar’ – the monkeypox virus.

With human populations expanding and interaction with animal world increasing, the number of zoonotic infections is on the rise. Disease causing microbes, pathogens, are jumping from the animal world through non-vegetarian food and other forms of interactions, to the human population. The Covid-19 pandemic is a case to point. Confirmed cases of monkeypox virus disease have been found in 30 countries as of 1.6.2022. Although the number is about 550 cases worldwide, as of 1.6.2022, the scare is definitely there of another zoonotic disease outburst. The first case was recognized in Nigeria on 6.5.2022, and from there the disease has traveled through travelers to UK and then onto Spain and Portugal.

Also Read: The threat of Zika virus : The zoonotic invasion

Monkey virus disease signs and symptoms in humans:

1. Fever

2. Headache

3. Muscle pain

4. Shivering

5. Backache

6. Extreme exhaustion

7. Ugly looking skin rash, blisters and crusts covering mouth, hands, feet, eyes, and genitals

8. Swollen glands behind ears, groin, neck and below jaw

How does monkeypox virus disease spread?

Monkeypox virus disease is not very contagious, and spread occurs through:

1. Close physical contact (sustained skin-to-skin contact) (the May 2022 Spanish monkeypox virus outbreak is blamed on gay parties)

2. Consuming infected wildlife food (bushmeat), when the infected animal bites or scratches

3. Through contact with contaminated body fluids and objects. Mouth ulcers, lesions and sores, can also be infectious, so the spread of the virus can occur through saliva.

(Ref., as per WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and answers/item/monkeypox)

4. The clinical presentation of the monkeypox virus disease is similar to small pox virus disease.

Which are the animals that get infected with monkeypox virus?

All primates other than humans (including gorilla, chimpanzee and monkeys), different types of squirrels, certain types of rats, rodents and mice, and some other animal species can harbor the monkeypox virus.

Other aspects of the monkeypox virus disease:

1. It takes average of 12 days after infection for the signs and symptoms to show up. In some cases, it has taken five days and in others, manifestation of disease has been seen after 21 days.

2. The duration of monkeypox virus signs and symptoms is for up to four weeks and diagnosis is confirmed through testing for the monkeypox virus DNA through a specific hybridization method based RT – PCR test.

3. The fatality ratio of monkeypox virus disease is 3% to 6%

MVA-BN vaccine:

A specific vaccine through a live non-replicating attenuated or weakened strain of the vaccinia virus called ‘MVA-BN vaccine’ has been developed in Europe, to protect against smallpox and monkeypox. Currently there are no advisories for vaccination.

Thus, the monkeypox virus disease has carried from Western and Central African forests to the urbanized and advanced societies of Europe. Contact with contaminated surfaces, body fluids including blood and saliva, and infected wildlife food, and bites or scratches from infected animals like rats, mice, squirrels and monkey-like animals can cause spread of this dreaded ugly disfiguring disease. Monkeypox virus spread is currently not a major challenge since it does not get spread through air. Hence, the chances of a major monkeypox pandemic are rare. Nevertheless, it always better to take health precautions and stay safe.