What is monkeypox? – BBC News

As the third case of monkeypox is reported in the UK, we are examining this rare and little known disease.

What is the frequency of monkeypox?

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, but it is much less serious and experts believe that the risk of infection is low.

This is the first time that the disease is observed in the UK.

It is found mainly in remote areas of Central and West African countries, near tropical rainforests.

There are two main strains of virus – West Africa and Central Africa.

Two of the infected patients in the United Kingdom have traveled from Nigeria, so it is likely that they suffer from the West African strain of the virus, which is usually benign, but this has not yet been confirmed.

The third case was a health worker who had caught the virus from one of the patients before their infections were confirmed.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptoms include fever, headache, swelling, back pain, sore muscles and general apathy.

Once the fever breaks, a rash can develop, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms and soles of the feet.

The rash, which can be extremely irritating, changes and goes through different stages before forming a crust that then falls. Lesions can cause scars.

The infection usually disappears from itself and lasts between 14 and 21 days.

How do you catch him?

Monkeypox can be transmitted when someone is in close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, airways or eyes, nose or mouth.

It can also be transmitted by contact with infected animals such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, or by objects contaminated with viruses, such as bedding and clothing.

Is it dangerous?

Most viruses are mild, sometimes resembling chicken pox, and disappear within a few weeks.

However, monkeypox can sometimes be more serious and have caused deaths in West Africa.

What is the frequency of epidemics?

The virus has been identified for the first time in a captive monkey and since 1970 sporadic outbreaks have been reported in 10 African countries.

In 2003, there was an outbreak in the United States, the first time the disease had been seen outside of Africa. Patients caught the disease through close contact with prairie dogs infected with a variety of small mammals imported into the country. A total of 81 cases were reported, but none resulted in death.

In 2017, Nigeria experienced the largest documented outbreak, about 40 years after the last confirmed case of monkeypox. There were 172 suspected cases of monkeypox and 75% of the victims were men between 21 and 40 years old.

what is the treatement?

There is no specific treatment or vaccine available, but outbreaks can be controlled by preventing infections.

In the past, vaccination against smallpox has proven to be 85% effective in the prevention of monkeypox, but the vaccine is no longer available after the eradication of smallpox.

Should the public be concerned?

Experts say we are not on the brink of a national epidemic and, according to Public Health England, the risk to the public is low.

Professor Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology at the University of Nottingham, said: "The fact that only one of the 50 contacts of the first patient infected with monkeypox has been infected shows how contagious the virus is.

"It is wrong to think that we are on the brink of a national epidemic."

Dr. Nick Phin, Deputy Director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England (PHE), added, "It is important to note that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and that the general risk to the general public is very high. low."

SPE keeps track of those who have had close contact with the patient to give them advice and follow them if necessary. "

Sources: EPS England and World Health Organization.