Monkeypox Disease and Concerns

Current Situation and Concerns

The current outbreak was triggered by a strain that can be transmitted through sexual transmission as well as close skin-to-skin contact. Affected groups include school children, healthcare workers and household members. In South Africa, the outbreak has killed three people so far.

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Monkeypox Disease: Transmission Methods, Symptoms and Prevention Methods

Conditions That Cause Epidemic Diseases to Spread

Alarming Situations

There are some concerning aspects of the recent outbreak. Genetic analyses of old samples from mpox patients suggest that the outbreak began spreading rapidly in Nigeria around 2016. The outbreak is increasingly affecting people, spreading to other countries in Africa, and has been found in 116 countries so far. In July 2022, the World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.

10 Questions About Monkeypox

• Is Monkeypox a New Disease?Monkeypox was first detected in monkeys in 1958 and later seen in humans. This disease, which is common in Africa, can sometimes spread to other continents.
• Why Has It Attracted Attention Now?: The increase in monkeypox cases seen outside Africa has increased the potential for the disease to spread to different geographies.
• What is the Cause of the Disease?Monkeypox is a DNA virus related to the smallpox virus. It has two different subtypes: West African and Central African.
• How is it transmitted?: The disease can be transmitted from rodents to humans, as well as through infected people or objects. There is also a risk of transmission through large respiratory droplets.
• What are the signs and symptoms?Monkeypox can cause fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and skin lesions.
• How is it diagnosed?In cases of suspected monkeypox, diagnosis can be made by special laboratory tests and examination of clinical symptoms.
• Can There Be Infection Without Symptoms?Monkeypox is less likely to cause asymptomatic disease than other diseases such as Covid-19.
• Is Monkeypox Deadly?While most patients generally recover on their own, serious complications may occur in those with weak immunity.
• Does Smallpox Vaccine Protect Against Disease?Smallpox vaccination may be effective in protecting against monkeypox, but it is stated that the vaccine is not widely applied because the disease is rare worldwide.
• Is There a Possibility of Causing an Epidemic?Considering the distinct symptoms of monkeypox and the way it is transmitted, it is stated that it is unlikely to cause large-scale epidemics such as Covid-19.