Monkey Pox Disease
Monkeypox (Monkey Pox Disease) is a viral disease. It is transmitted to humans from animals, its symptoms are similar to classical smallpox, but its clinical picture is milder.
The name Monkeypox was given because it was first described in 1958 in a group of monkeys in a Danish research laboratory. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Person-to-person transmission of Monkexpox can occur through open wounds, bodily fluids, droplets, and contaminated items such as bedding. The incubation period of the disease varies between 5-21 days.
Monkeys and rodents are thought to spread this virus. It is thought to be transmitted by consuming poorly cooked meat and other animal products.
The disease is normally a self-limiting infection. It may have a more severe course in children, pregnant women and individuals with suppressed immune system.
The disease begins with fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, low back pain, and fatigue. Within 1-3 days of the fever, the first lesion appears in the mouth and on the tongue, then rashes appear on the body, starting from the face and spreading to other parts of the body, these rashes develop gradually into different shapes. The age and shape of the lesions are the same in the body, first a macule, then a papule, then a vesicle, then a pustule and finally a crust that heals. Lesions also occur on the palms and soles of the feet.
The disease heals spontaneously within 2-4 weeks. There is no specific treatment method for the disease. Some antiviral drugs are thought to be effective. The disease is contagious until all lesions crust over.
Countries where Monkeypox disease is endemic; Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Ninaria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Ivory Coast.
However, as of March 13, 2022, Monkeypox disease has been reported from 12 different countries in people who are not located in endemic countries and do not have a travel history to these countries. Until 21 May 2022, 92 confirmed and 28 suspected cases were reported all over the world. No deaths were reported among these cases.
1-5 cases were reported from Australia, France, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, America and Italy, and 21-30 confirmed cases from Portugal, England and Spain. These cases do not have a history of travel to the endemic region, and most of them have a history of male-male sexual intercourse.
In addition, the number of monkeypox disease reported in the endemic region in the last year is much higher, it was 25 in Cameroon and less than 5 deaths in the last year, 6 in the Central African Country and less than 5 deaths, 1238 cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 57 deaths, and 46 cases in Nigeria.
The smallpox vaccine is thought to be 85% protective against the monkeypox virus. Smallpox vaccine should not be confused with chickenpox vaccine. Smallpox vaccine was last administered in our country in 1980. Since there is smallpox vaccination, there is protection for those born before 1980. Since there is no smallpox vaccination, there is no protection for those born after this date.