What you need to know about monkeypox

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sent out information about monkeypox, a disease that has had something of an outbreak in different countries.

Monkeypox has so far been reported from 11 countries that normally don’t have the disease. WHO is working with these countries & others to expand surveillance, and provide guidance. There are about 80 confirmed cases, and 50 pending investigations. More likely to be reported.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is caused by monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions. Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases can occur. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around 3-6%.

What are the moneypox symptoms?

Typical symptoms of #monkeypox include:

rash with blisters – on face, hands, feet, eyes, mouth, genitals
fever
headaches
muscle aches
low energy
swollen lymph nodes

Consult a health professional if you are worried.

How does monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox spreads between ppl in many ways

Physical contact with someone with symptoms
Touching things contaminated with the virus (bedding, towels, clothes, etc)
Thru saliva, respiratory droplets

Monkeypox spreads differently from COVID19.

How do you protect yourself and others from monkeypox?

Protect yourself & others from monkeypox :

Isolate & talk to a health worker if you have symptoms
Avoid skin to skin or face to face contact with anyone who has symptoms
Clean hands, objects & surfaces that have been touched regularly
Wear a mask if you are in close contact

Is there a monkeypox vaccine?

Vaccination against smallpox was demonstrated through several observational studies to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Thus, prior smallpox vaccination may result in milder illness. Evidence of prior vaccination against smallpox can usually be found as a scar on the upper arm. At the present time, the original (first-generation) smallpox vaccines are no longer available to the general public.

No cases have been recorded in Zimbabwe.