Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is an infectious viral disease that affects both humans and animals. This virus is part of the same family as smallpox and it’s found mostly in areas of Africa.
This rare virus known as Mpox is generally caused by the Mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes variola virus (smallpox) and vaccinia virus.
Mpox spreads through close contact with someone who is infected or an infected animal. It will be amazing to know that this virus garnered significant attention following the emergence of new variants.
Mpox remains a significant public health concern due to its potential for severe disease and transmission. Mpox as a Mpox a zoonotic disease, it can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. It can also be transmitted from one human to another.
Understanding the causes, recognizing symptoms, and implementing comprehensive control measures are essential for managing and reducing the impact of this viral disease.
There are two major types (clades) of the Mpox virus — one that originated in Central Africa (Clade I) and one that originated in West Africa (Clade II).
However, the current world outbreak (2022 to 2023) is caused by Clade IIb, a subtype of the less severe West African clade.
Clade I
Clade I of the Mpox virus causes more severe illness and death. Some outbreaks have killed up to 10% of the people who get sick, although more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa.
Clade I MPXV is currently considered more severe than Clade II MPXV, leading to its classification as a high-consequence infectious disease (HCID).
Evidence of sustained sexual transmission of Clade I MPXV has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Healthcare professionals should remain vigilant for Clade I MPXV, including in sexually acquired Mpox cases, and should obtain comprehensive travel histories from patients.
Clade II
While the Clade II is the type that caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections from clade II Mpox are less severe. More than 99.9% of people survive. Clade II is endemic to West Africa.
Clade II MPXV is responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022. and it can spread through direct contact with infected animals, close contact (including intimate contact) with a person with Mpox and Direct contact with contaminated materials
Causes Of Mpox Virus
Virus
Mpox is caused by a virus related to the one that causes smallpox, but mpox disease is usually milder than smallpox.
Activities that pose a risk of Mpox transmission include:
- Close contact with infected individuals or animals, including direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or contaminated materials.
- Human-to-human transmission primarily occurs through; Skin-to-skin contact, Respiratory droplets, sexual contact, animal-to-human transmission, Kissing, Hugging, and Massage.
- Oral, anal or vaginal sex
- Touching the genitals — penis, testicles or labia (lips of female genitals) — vagina or anus of a person infected with Mpox
Symptoms Of Mpox Virus
Mpox has a long incubation period. That means it can take three to 21 days to develop an illness after being exposed to the virus. However, a person can transmit the disease to someone else one to four days before symptoms appear.
Altogether, Mpox infection lasts two to four weeks in the body and it occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply.
Disease, which typically happens in a small proportion of infected people, occurs when the cells in your body are damaged as a result of infection, and signs and symptoms of an illness appear.
Symptoms can be mild but may become severe, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Common Symptoms Of Mpox Include;
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.
- Lymph nodes become swollen, often at the time of fever onset. This is seen in most cases and is usually seen before the rash. This feature distinguishes this infection from smallpox.
- Rash: It starts as flat, red bumps, which can be painful. Those bumps turn into blisters, which fill with pus. Eventually, the blisters crust over and fall off.
- Chills.
- Headache.
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- A few days later, a rash may appear on the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth, or near or on the genitals. Mpox may initially be mistaken for chickenpox or a sexually transmitted disease if the rash is in the genital or anal region.
The rash progresses through several stages:
- A small, raised solid pimple or swelling (called a papule) appears.
- A blister-like rash (consisting of vesicles) that looks like chickenpox develops
- The rash may begin on the face and spread elsewhere on the body, or, if acquired during intimate or sexual contact, may begin in the genital or perianal areas.
Is Mpox Treatable?
Currently, there is no specific treatment approved for Mpox. However, there are several antiviral medications that can be used to treat smallpox and other conditions that may help patients with Mpox.
While most cases are mild and resolve without treatment, severe cases can lead to complications and higher mortality rates, especially with the more virulent Clade 1 variant. People who become very sick from Mpox can be treated with antiviral agents.
How To Prevent Mpox Virus
There are several ways you can protect yourself and others from Mpox
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with Mpox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with Mpox
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox and animals that carry the mpox virus.
- Learning steps you can take to lower your risk of Mpox during sex or at a social gathering.
- Getting vaccinated. Check with your healthcare provider to find out if the Mpox vaccine is recommended for you.
- Effective control measures such as surveillance and monitoring of new cases.
- Public health interventions
- Quarantine and isolation of infected individuals
- Contact tracing: Identifying and monitoring individuals who have been in contact with infected persons.
- Vaccination: Vaccines used for smallpox have shown efficacy in preventing Mpox
- Hygiene and sanitation: Regular handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and materials that may be contaminated.
- Disinfection
- Animal control: Reducing contact with potential animal reservoirs and controlling outbreaks in animal populations can mitigate the risk of zoonotic transmission.