A day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the growing spread of Mpox in Africa a global health emergency, Sweden reported its first case on Thursday.
New Case in Sweden
“A person who sought medical care in Stockholm has been diagnosed with Monkeypox caused by the clade I variant. This is the first case of clade I detected outside the African continent,” Sweden’s Public Health Agency said, according to AFP.
“The person was infected during a visit to “the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of Monkeypox clade I,” state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslen said in the statement.
3 Cases in Pakistan, All three are being quarantined
In Pakistan, Three individuals were detected to be infected with the Mpox virus on their arrival from the United Arab Emirates, as per the health department in Pakistan’s northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
On August 16, Pakistan’s health department in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province reported the detection of three cases of the Monkeypox virus.
Pakistan has previously reported cases of Monkeypox infection. The Reuters report said it is not yet clear which variant the newly found patients are infected with.
Salim Khan, the director general of health services for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said two patients are confirmed to have Monkeypox. In contrast the third patient’s samples have been sent to the National Health Institute in the capital, Islamabad, for confirmation. Khan added that all three are being quarantined.
The new variant of Monkeypox (clade I)
According to a latest UNICEF Report, Thousands of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries are at significant risk of contracting the Monkeypox virus as cases of a new, more deadly, variant continue to surge, UNICEF warned today.
Since the beginning of the year, approximately 8,772 children in the DRC have contracted the disease, accounting for over half of the country’s 15,664 reported cases, according to the latest available data. Out of the 548 total deaths, an estimated 463 were children.
How this is impacting on children ?
This new Monkeypox variant is another serious threat for children and families who are already facing ongoing conflict, displacement, and outbreaks of cholera and polio, along with malnutrition,” said Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “Children, especially those who are malnourished or dealing with other illnesses, are at the highest risk of catching and dying from this strain of Mpox. Protecting them must be our top priority.
“According to WHO, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been experienced 15,600 reported cases and 537 deaths since the beginning of the year till 18th August 2024. The most affected provinces are South Kivu, North Kivu, Tshopo, Equateur, North Ubangi, Tshuapa, Mongala and Sankuru, Kamba said.
On Wednesday, the US Department of Health announced it would donate 50,000 doses of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -approved JYNNEOS vaccine to the DRC.
Table of Contents
What is Mpox?
The monkeypox virus, a DNA virus, was first discovered in monkeys in a laboratory in Denmark in 1958. However, it is more commonly found in rodents and other animals. Since the 1970s, it has caused periodic outbreaks in Central and West Africa, where it has been identified in various animal species. The virus has occasionally spread to humans outside Africa; for example, in 2003, an outbreak occurred in the U.S. after people came into contact with infected pet prairie dogs.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. There are two distinct clades: clade I and clade II. The condition typically presents with a skin rash or mucosal lesions that can persist for 2 to 4 weeks. Other common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Caused by an Orthopoxvirus, Monkeypox was first detected in humans in 1970, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The disease is considered endemic to countries in central and west Africa. Mpox is transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread from humans to humans through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.
Key Facts about it
- Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Two different clades exist: clade I and clade II
- Common symptoms of Monkeypox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.
- In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of mpox was caused by a strain known as clade IIb.
- Mpox can be prevented by avoiding physical contact with someone who has mpox. Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk.
How its Transmit ?
Person-to-person transmission of Monkeypox can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals; this includes contact which is
- face-to-face (talking or breathing)
- skin-to-skin (touching or vaginal/anal sex)
- mouth-to-mouth (kissing)
- mouth-to-skin contact (oral sex or kissing the skin)
- respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact
This virus enters the body through broken skin, mucosal surfaces (such as the mouth, throat, eyes, genitals, or rectum), or via the respiratory tract. It can spread to household members and sexual partners, with those having multiple sexual partners at higher risk.
Transmission from animals to humans can occur through bites, scratches, or during activities like hunting, skinning, trapping, cooking, handling carcasses, or consuming animals. The extent of viral circulation in animal populations is not fully understood, and further research is ongoing.
Humans can also contract Monkeypox from contaminated objects like clothing or linens, through sharps injuries in healthcare settings, or in communal environments such as tattoo parlours
Signs and symptoms
Mpox symptoms usually start within a week of exposure, though they can appear anywhere from 1 to 21 days later. The symptoms typically persist for 2 to 4 weeks, but they may last longer in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Common symptoms of Monkeypox are :
- Rush
- fever
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle aches
- back pain
- low energy
- swollen lymph nodes.
Self-care and prevention
Most people with mpox will recover within 2 to 4 weeks. To alleviate symptoms and prevent spreading the virus to others, consider the following measures :
Do’s
- Stay home and in your own room if possible
- wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer, especially before or after touching sores
- wear a mask and cover lesions when around other people until your rash heals
- keep skin dry and uncovered (unless in a room with someone else)
- avoid touching items in shared spaces and disinfect shared spaces frequently
- use saltwater rinses for sores in the mouth
- take sitz baths or warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salts for body sores
- take over-the-counter medications for pain like paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.
Don’t
- pop blisters or scratch sores, which can slow healing, spread the rash to other parts of the body, and cause sores to become infected; or
- shave areas with sores until scabs have healed and you have new skin underneath (this can spread the rash to other parts of the body).
Previous Outbreaks
After 1970, mpox cases were reported sporadically in Central and East Africa (clade I) and West Africa (clade II). In 2003, an outbreak in the United States was traced to imported wild animals (clade II). Since 2005, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported thousands of suspected cases annually. In 2017, mpox re-emerged in Nigeria, where it continues to spread among the population and travelers to other regions. Data on cases reported up to 2021 can be found here.
In May 2022, a sudden outbreak of mpox emerged and quickly spread across Europe, the Americas, and subsequently all six WHO regions. By mid-2023, approximately 87,000 cases and 112 deaths had been reported across 110 countries. The global outbreak has predominantly, though not exclusively, affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, with transmission occurring primarily through sexual networks.
Seems like a serious health issues, let’s just follow the precautionary measures and make sure people around us are neither transmitted not get affected.
Monkeypox is indeed a dangerous virus and should be handled with utmost Care