Monkeypox: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease (viral zoonosis disease, a virus transmitted to humans by animals) caused by the monkeypox virus, similar to smallpox, and is most common in central and western Africa. There are two known types of monkeypox virus—one that originated in Central Africa and one that originated in West Africa. 

Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in groups of monkeys being used for research. There are two known types of monkeypox virus—one that originated in Central Africa and one that originated in West Africa. The current world outbreak (2022) is caused by the less severe West African clad.

 Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox. The virus is spread by touching an infected person, or their clothes, bedding, or towels. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a 9-month-old boy in a region where smallpox had been eliminated in 1968.

Treatment for monkeypox

There’s no proven treatment for monkeypox. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox virus infections. Symptomatic supportive care is to be considered.

Monkeypox symptoms

Early signs of monkeypox include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion, which can last a day or two. Some people may also experience painful swollen lymph nodes. A rash often follows 1 to 3 days after the fever. The rash starts as flat on, red
bumps. It mostly affects the face, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet, which can be painful. Those bumps turn into blisters that may fill with whitish fluid. The blisters can crust over and fall off — the whole process can last 2 to 4 weeks. Not everyone with monkeypox develops all of the symptoms.

Monkeypox virus in the UAE

The UAE has so far confirmed a total of 13 monkeypox infections in the country and 2 recoveries from the virus. The first case was a 29-year-old woman who arrived from West Africa on May 24th, 2022.

How can you prevent it?

1. Avoid unprotected contact with wild animals, especially those sick or dead, including their meat, blood, and other parts.
2. Thoroughly cook all foods containing animal meat or parts before eating.
3. Avoid contact with any materials such as bedding that have been in contact with a sick animal.
4. Isolate infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection.
5. Practice good hand hygiene.

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