The Risks and Prevention of Mpox

TDT | Agencies

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox.

The disease is typically characterized by a rash that progresses to pustules, along with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.

Key Facts About Mpox:

• Transmission: Mpox can spread from animals to humans (zoonotic transmission) and also from human to human. It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or skin lesions of infected animals or humans. It can also be spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.

• Symptoms: After an incubation period of 5-21 days, the initial symptoms often include fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. Within a few days after the fever, a rash typically develops, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.

• Severity: The severity of mpox can vary. While most cases are mild and self-limiting, severe cases can occur, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Complications can include pneumonia, secondary bacterial infections, and, in rare cases, death.

• Prevention and Treatment: Preventive measures include avoiding contact with potentially infected animals or people, practicing good hygiene, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.

There is no specific treatment for mpox, but antiviral drugs and vaccines used for smallpox may offer some protection and be used in cases of mpox outbreaks.

The name change from monkeypox to mpox was part of an effort to reduce stigma and inaccuracies associated with the disease's name.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been involved in these renaming efforts.