What is monkeypox

2022 - 5 - 23

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Monkeypox outbreak is primarily spreading through sex, WHO ... (CNBC)

European nations have confirmed dozens of cases in what's become the largest outbreak of monkeypox ever on the Continent, according to the German military.

The U.S. has confirmed at least two cases and Canada has confirmed at least five so far. The vaccine used to prevent smallpox appears to be about 85% effective in guarding against monkeypox in observational research in Africa, WHO officials said. That then progresses to a rash on the face, hands, feet, eyes, mouth or genitals that turns into raised bumps, or papules, that then become blisters that often resemble chicken pox. The WHO convened an emergency meeting this weekend via video conference to look at the virus, identify those most at risk and study its transmission. Two confirmed and one suspected case of monkeypox in the U.K. were reported to the WHO just 10 days ago, the first cases this year outside of Africa where the virus has generally circulated at low levels over the last 40 years, the organization said. European nations have confirmed dozens of cases in what's become the largest outbreak of monkeypox ever on the Continent, according to the German military.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

Here's what we know about the global monkeypox outbreak (Daily Maverick)

There are currently no cases of monkeypox in South Africa. Infections are increasing in other countries where the virus is not normally found, ...

Investigations have been unable to link that case to any of the other cases detected to date, suggesting that there have been multiple introductions of the virus into the United Kingdom and other countries, with cases potentially having gone undetected till now. Thus, the current outbreak is unlikely to progress to being a global emergency. “The monkeypox virus can be transmitted to a person upon contact with the virus from an animal, human or materials contaminated with the virus. A good history is essential to rule out other differential diagnoses, including malaria,” Puren concluded. Dr Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser for the UK Health Security Agency, said in a statement from the organisation: “We anticipated that further cases would be detected through our active case finding with National Health Service services and heightened vigilance among healthcare professionals. However, severe disease may be observed in young children, pregnant women and individuals who are immunocompromised. The world currently faces an outbreak of monkeypox infections, with 140 cases of the disease confirmed in 15 countries. Alongside this, we are receiving reports of further cases being identified in other countries globally. “In the current outbreak, cases of possible transmission through sexual contact have been noted, but are not confirmed. She works in the Special Viral Pathogens Division. The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with countries where the new cases were found. “A major difference would be that an infected person will also suffer with swollen lymph nodes, which is not seen with chickenpox.

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Map: Countries with confirmed monkeypox cases in the 2022 outbreak (NBC News)

As of May 23, four times as many countries outside of Africa have reported monkeypox this month than have in the previous 50 years.

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Image courtesy of "News24"

No monkeypox cases detected in SA, but more than 140 cases ... (News24)

Cases of monkeypox have not been detected in South Africa, but the importation of the virus is a reality, says NICD executive director Adrian Puren.

There are two clades of monkeypox virus: the West African clade and the Congo Basin (Central African) clade. Thus the current outbreak is unlikely to progress to being a global emergency," the institute added. According to the NICD, investigations have been unable to link this case to any of the other cases detected. This suggests that there have been multiple introductions of the virus into the UK and other countries, with cases potentially having gone undetected till now. The rare viral disease occurs mostly in central and west Africa, where it is endemic in 12 countries. - Cases of monkeypox have been reported to the WHO from countries that are not endemic for the virus.

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Image courtesy of "Eyewitness News"

Should South Africans be worried about a monkeypox outbreak? (Eyewitness News)

John Perlman spoke to Professor Shabir Madhi about the virus and whether it is something we should be concerned about.

John Perlman spoke to Professor Shabir Madhi about the virus and whether it is something we should be concerned about. John Perlman spoke to Professor Shabir Madhi about the virus and whether it is something we should be concerned about. Should South Africans be worried about a monkeypox outbreak?

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Image courtesy of "Business Insider South Africa"

CDC: Monkeypox may have been circulating for 'months' before the ... (Business Insider South Africa)

US pox cases being investigated now travelled internationally in both April and May, but not to Africa, where the disease is endemic. One CDC official aimed to ...

"I don't think at the present time, there is sufficient evidence of spread occurring so rapidly that we want to shut down any events," he said. Transmission of the monkeypox virus occurs primarily through direct contact with a sick person's infectious lesions (their "pox"). The virus is infectious chiefly through its rash, which can look quite similar to chicken pox, especially in the initial stages. During that entire period, which can last up to four weeks, the rash is very infectious. Health authorities in Madrid have also been tracing many cases in this outbreak back to a single unnamed "sauna" location, which was recently shut down, Reuters reported. Gay Pride Maspalomas in the Canary Islands, for example, didn't kick off until May 5, while the Belgian pride parade took place on May 21.

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Monkeypox: what to know about the latest virus to alarm global ... (Financial Times)

We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Disease control and prevention news every morning. Health authorities worldwide are on alert ...

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Laboratory testing for the monkeypox virus: Interim guidance (World Health Organization)

Confirmation of monkeypox virus infection is based on nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), using real-time or conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ...

All test results, positive or negative, should be immediately reported to national authorities and Member States are requested to immediately notify WHO under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 of positive laboratory results, including laboratory test that awaits confirmation. There is currently a multi-country outbreak of monkeypox in several regions of the world, the full extent and impact of which remains unclear. The recommended specimen type for laboratory confirmation of monkeypox is skin lesion material, including swabs of lesion surface and/or exudate, roofs from more than one lesion, or lesion crusts.

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Image courtesy of "TimesLIVE"

SA health scientists monitoring monkeypox outbreak, have test kits (TimesLIVE)

There are no monkeypox cases in SA, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases says, but the institute is equipped to test travellers if needed.

The first case in the outbreak was a traveller who returned to the UK from Nigeria, a monkeypox endemic area. The NICD said it would continually assess the risk for local introduction and transmission in collaboration with the national department of health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in line with international health regulations. Fifteen countries have collectively reported more than 140 cases of monkeypox.

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Image courtesy of "The Conversation UK"

Monkeypox Q&A: how do you catch it and what are the risks? An ... (The Conversation UK)

Monkeypox usually spreads by close contact and respiratory droplets. However, sexual transmission (via semen and/or vaginal fluid) has been posited as an ...

RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, don’t have the ability to check their genetic code for mistakes each time they replicate, so they tend to evolve faster. In his dictionary of 1755, Samuel Johnson surmised that it is so named because it is “ of no very great danger”.) Nevertheless, the vesicles (little pus-filled blisters) caused by monkeypox are similar in appearance to those of chickenpox. Despite the name, chickenpox is a herpes virus, not a poxvirus. Monkeypox tends to cause more serious disease in people who are immunocompromised – such as those undergoing chemotherapy – and children. However, monkeys don’t seem to be the natural hosts of the virus. However, cases are now spreading among people who have not travelled to west or central Africa, suggesting local transmission is occurring.

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