The monkeypox virus has appeared in several European countries, with experts speculating that the cause is due to countries easing travel restrictions in the post-Covid era.
After the UK reported 7 cases of monkeypox on May 17, infections subsequently emerged in several countries, including Portugal (5 cases) and Spain (23 suspected cases).
The United States recorded its first case of monkeypox on May 18. The patient is a man living in Massachusetts who had traveled to Canada by private vehicle. He contracted the virus from a patient in Europe.
The outbreaks are causing concern among experts and health officials because previously, the virus primarily occurred in West and Central Africa and rarely spread widely.
Rare Phenomenon
Monkeypox causes rashes, redness, and itching all over the body. Symptoms are usually mild and treatable. There are two common strains of monkeypox. The first is the Congo strain, which has more severe symptoms and a mortality rate of 10%. The second strain is found in West Africa and is less severe, typically resulting in a fatality rate of 1% among infected individuals. Currently, patients in the UK are infected with the West African strain.
“Historically, monkeypox outbreaks have been quite rare, occurring only about 8 times in the past,” said Jimmy Whitworth, a professor of international public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Why the Sudden Outbreak of the Virus?
Experts speculate that the easing of travel restrictions post-Covid-19 is a contributing factor to the resurgence of monkeypox. They are concerned because monkeypox is related to smallpox, a dangerous disease that was once a global fear.
Humanity eradicated smallpox in 1980 through an effective vaccination program. The vaccine also protects against monkeypox. However, according to Anne Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, immunity in people wanes over time. This may be a reason for the resurgence of monkeypox.
Scientists believe that the public should not panic too much. “The cases will not cause a pandemic like Covid-19. However, this is still a serious outbreak, and we need to address it seriously,” Professor Whitworth stated.
Monkeypox virus under a microscope. (Photo: CDC)
Transmission Routes
The monkeypox strain was first discovered in monkeys in 1958. However, today, rodents are the primary source of transmission. In Africa, the monkeypox virus has been found in various animals such as squirrels, rats, and many others. People typically contract the disease when consuming undercooked meat and using products from infected animals.
The virus also spreads through close contact with infected individuals, via bodily fluids, skin lesions, or mucous membranes. However, human-to-human transmission is relatively limited.
The outbreak in the UK is surprising experts, as the cases have no known connections to each other. Only the first case, detected on May 6, had traveled to an area where the virus is still circulating, namely Nigeria. Some scientists warn that the reported cases may be just the “tip of the iceberg,” as some patients have not yet been reported.
The UK Health Security Agency has also noted that recent cases primarily involve gay or bisexual men. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that scientists will conduct genetic sequencing to determine if the viruses are related.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
The WHO states that the incubation period for monkeypox is typically 5 to 21 days. The infection process is divided into two phases. The first phase is the viral invasion, lasting from 0 to 5 days, with characteristic symptoms including fever, severe headache, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), back pain, muscle aches, and fatigue (lack of energy).
Lymphadenopathy is a distinguishing feature of monkeypox compared to other diseases, which initially present symptoms similar to chickenpox, measles, and common smallpox. The second phase involves a skin rash, usually appearing one to three days after the patient develops a fever. The rash tends to be concentrated more on the face and extremities than on the torso. The rash progresses sequentially, from skin irritation (not yet a rash) to itchy papules (raised bumps), then to vesicles (lesions containing fluid) and pustules (lesions filled with yellowish fluid).
