In Context
- The Union government has formed a task force headed by Dr VK Paul, a member of NITI Aayog in the wake of Monkeypox cases in India.
Monkeypox
- About:
- Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses that causes smallpox.Â
- Occurrence of Disease:
- The infection was first discovered in 1958Â
- The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- Symptoms:
- Monkeypox begins with a fever, headache, muscle aches, back ache, and exhaustion.Â
- It also causes the lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy), which smallpox does not.Â
- Incubation period: usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days.Â
- Transmission:
- Zoonotic disease: It is a disease that is transmitted from infected animals to humans. Â
- Human-to-human transmission is limited and the overall risk to the general public is very low.
- Transmission can be through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.
- Prevention:
- There is no safe, proven treatment for monkeypox yet.Â
- The WHO recommends supportive treatment depending on the symptoms.Â
- Awareness is important for the prevention and control of the infection.
Source: TH
