The COVID-19 outbreak still instills fear and anxiety
globally. The fear of another COVID-like health crisis and lockdown arises with
a surge in Mpox. Mpox is a contagious virus on the prowl. The World Health
Organisation has declared Mpox a global medical emergency. The epidemic is
prevalent in African countries like Burundi, Kenya, and Uganda. Pakistan,
Sweden, Bangladesh, etc., have registered positive cases, and the number of
cases is rising.
India has registered no cases of Mpox so far. Alarm bells
are ringing, and the medical fraternity is leaving no stone unturned.
The disease was first detected in the Democratic Republic
of Congo in the 70s. The virus has evolved over the years. The less severe
variant of the Mpox virus is the Clade 2 strain, which caused a multi-country
outbreak in 2002. The Clade 1b strain is more severe and is raising its head.
Causes
Mpox is contagious and spreads through humans and
animals. In certain parts of Africa, bush meat is prevalent. An infected animal
with the virus can spread it. Consuming contaminated meat and physical contact
with infected animals increase the risk. People infected with Mpox can spread
the virus faster. Infectious respiratory particles also help to spread Mpox.
Symptoms
Rashes all over the body with fever, body aches, and
swollen lymph nodes are the common symptoms. The rashes are in the form of
blisters. The sores can number in thousands. The rashes can range from two to
four weeks. Recovery begins once the scabs fall out and new skin emerges. The
virus is also known to spread to the fetus during pregnancy.
Medication
In case of severity, a person may need hospitalization
and supportive care. Being contagious, high preventive measures are being
recommended. Some cases can be fatal. Newborn babies, people who have HIV, etc,
have the risk of getting infected. The WHO is recommending the use of vaccines.
To date, no specific registered vaccines are available.
Preventive measures
Disinfecting open areas frequented by Mpox-infected
patients is a must. People handling patients should be involved in hand
hygiene. Isolation for a particular time is also recommended.
Outlook
There have been a lot of rumors about how Mpox will
impact the global health sector. Also, social stigma remains where patients in
remote localities are often ostracised. In an outbreak, a patient should
approach a health professional and be in isolation.
It will help to prevent the disease from spreading. More research about the evolution of Mpox and the suitable vaccine is the need of the hour.
