Diseases like chickenpox, measles, shingles and the likes are more common, however, I would like to talk about a not-so-common disease; Monkeypox.
Monkeypox is a rare and infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus which includes viruses that cause smallpox,cowpox and camelpox.
This virus goes as far back as 1958 and was first identified in a group of monkeys that were kept for research, hence the name “monkeypox”.
The interesting thing about the monkeypox virus is the fact that the symptoms are very similar to everyday symptoms and by this I mean fever, headaches, muscle aches, rash, etc. In the part of the world where i'm from, whenever people observe the above listed symptoms, their mind automatically takes them to “malaria parasite” which is not always the case.
One reason why medical practitioners keep hitting on ‘personal hygiene’ is because so many things can be avoided if one takes their hygiene seriously. This brings me to the mode of transmission of monkeypox. It can be transmitted through direct contact like bodily fluids from an infected person, indirect contact like coming in contact with soiled linens from the patient and even through direct animal-to-human transmission for the lots who love monkeys.
Little sanitary and preventive gestures like washing hands regularly and properly or wearing personal protective equipment(ppe) like nose masks can go a long way in preventing us, as humans, from contracting diseases that we are either aware of or not. Also, irrespective of the controversies surrounding vaccines, vaccination against this disease helps to prevent the infection.
The Current Outbreak
The current outbreak of monkeypox, declared as a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation(WHO) has affected over 100 countries with reported cases exceeding over 50,000. This current monkey outbreak became noticeable in September 2023 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and as of August 2024, there were over 570 deaths reported still in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Globally, the outbreak has spread to several continents with cases reported in Asia, Africa,Europe and North America
With the massive development in the medical world, such an outbreak is not even supposed to occur and the fact that it has (in the 21st century) could be as a result of two things. First, lack of an all round and optimal education, especially for the people living in rural areas. Second, skepticism and adamance especially when it comes to reporting to the hospital or taking vaccines.
It is no secret that the hospital isn't exactly anyone’s favourite place to be but people would rather self medicate than seek professional help and once symptoms persist or get out of hand, they are rushed to the hospital. I can bet that this was the case with a good number of the reported cases.
However, with the declaration by the World Health Organisation, several countries have begun vaccinating high-risk groups including healthcare workers and individuals who have come in close contact with infected persons.
Although the WHO and other health organisations are closely monitoring the situation and working to control the spread of the virus, we owe it to ourselves to keep our families, friends, communities and ourselves safe by applying caution when dealing with humans and doing the right thing at the right time.
Do you know anyone who has ever suffered from monkeypox?