Thursday, March 28, 2024
News

Explained: What is monkeypox, how does it spread, how to avoid

   SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

New Delhi | Tuesday, 2022 1:45:09 AM IST
Monkeypox virus, that has crossed over 16,000 cases worldwide, is now a declared public health emergency of international concern like Covid and polio.

Four cases of the infectious disease have also been confirmed in India, including New Delhi.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease, related to smallpox and cowpox. The virus generally causes pimples or blister-like lesions and flu-like symptoms such as fever.

The lesions typically concentrate on the arms and legs, but in the latest outbreak, they're showing up more frequently on the genital and perianal area.

It is transmitted from infected animals to humans via indirect or direct contact.

Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or lesions, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, and respiratory droplets.

Transmission can also occur from contaminated materials such as linens, bedding, electronics and clothing that have infectious skin particles.

Touching objects that have been contaminated by monkeypox lesions or fluids may also increase the risk of spreading.

"We should all know about the transmission root of this virus. It spreads by close contact, skin to skin contact and droplet infection. So, we have to be careful about all these factors," Dr Satish Koul, Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, said.

The disease has also been reported among three children -- two in the US and one in the Netherlands.

Monkeypox, even though is not a sexually transmitted disease, in the latest outbreak, it has mostly been spreading among men who have sex with men, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

"We do have seen now two cases that have occurred in children. Both of those children are traced back to individuals who come from the men who have sex with men community, the gay men community," Walensky was quoted as saying in an interview with the Washington Post.

Monkeypox is usually considered mild and most people recover within four weeks without treatment.

However, the disease is frequently uncomfortable or painful, and can sometimes lead to complications that require close medical follow-up.

If one has "fever after travelling recently, or you have come in contact with somebody who has manifested symptoms of monkeypox, you should immediately seek consultations from your physician. As of now, prevention is the cure," Koul said.

According to Dr Manisha Arora, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, avoid coming in contact with an ill person.

The primary measures to control the outbreak are contact tracing and isolation.

It is also important that people confirmed with monkeypox disclose their contacts so they can be alerted to monitor for symptoms.

"Always wash hands properly and use an effective alcohol-based sanitiser. Never avoid using masks," Arora said.

--IANS rvt/sks

( 465 Words)

2022-07-25-19:00:05 (IANS)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS (0)
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE HEALTH NEWS
Study finds how childhood sedentariness ...
Longer genes are associated with ageing...
Dr. Dangs Lab aims to revolutionise heal...
Researchers find ways to reduce side eff...
Study gives insight into role of specifi...
Collaborative study between bariatric, t...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
Telangana: Fire breaks out at Ravi Foods...
UP's improved law and order to be the do...
From 'Microphone' to 'Pressure Cooker', ...
ASI continues survey at Bhojshala Comple...
CISF Jawan shoots self at Kolkata airpor...
'INDIA bloc has no presence; united to a...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
India sees UNSC resolution on cease... 
IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals win toss, ... 
"There's lot of time, talks underwa... 
Elvish Yadav visits Siddhivinayak T... 
Sita Ram Meena appointed as India's... 
Pratt & Whitney Canada signs en... 
"My first ever": Shehnaaz Gill lend... 
'Faces look bright using fair and l...