As the number of monkey pox cases climbs amid an ongoing global outbreak, the officials from the world health organization say more countries are reporting such cases with twenty-six countries having reports on the same with Central and west Africa taking the lead.
Research shows that transmission of monkey pox virus occurs when a person comes into contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), the respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes.
According to the World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom, more than 1000 cases have now been reported worldwide with no deaths occurring from such a virus. Monkey pox is related to small pox but is less severe with the initial symptoms being high fever, swollen lymph nodes and a blist.
Since it is an outbreak, such a disease will need a vaccination! People who received smallpox vaccine in the past may be immune if not fully protected from such a disease. At this time, there are no specific treatments available for monkey pox infection but monkey pox outbreaks can be controlled.
Because small pox is closely related to monkey pox, small pox vaccine can be used to protect people from getting monkey pox. Most people who get small pox survive however a few rare varieties of small pox are almost fatal as people who recover from small pox usually have severe scars, especially on the face, arms and legs.
With such issues coming up on monkey pox infection Tedros said that the world health organization would issue guidance in the coming days on clinical care, infection prevention and control, vaccination and community protection including: isolating people who have been infected at home, consulting a health care once you have the infection, avoiding close contact once a person who is so close to you including families get infected with small pox and being hospitalized in case the infection is severe.
Despite the need to have vaccination to prevent monkey pox infection the world health organization is trying to determine how many doses are currently available and to find out from manufacturers what their production and distribution capacities are.
Prevention has always been better than cure, and with uncertainties around the vaccine World Health Organization has urged the public to spread the awareness so as to keep safe from infection.
Written by: Martha Mokera.