What Is Monkeypox Disease? Symptoms, Treatment & Spread.
Monkeypox is a rare virus that is similar to smallpox in humans. It was first found in monkeys kept for research in 1958.
In 1970, the first case of monkeypox in a person was reported. The disease is mainly found in Central and West African tropical rainforests.
The virus is a member of the Poxviridae family, including the viruses that cause smallpox and cowpox.
How do you know if you have a monkeypox?
Monkeypox usually causes fever, a rash, and swollen lymph nodes, leading to several health problems.
Most of the time, the disease goes away after two to four weeks. However, there can also be severe cases.
In recent years, the number of deaths per case has been between 3% and 6%, but it can go as high as 10%. At this point, there have been no reported deaths.
MORE: Monkeypox has spread to 23 countries, and 257 confirmed cases now.
How Does the Monkeypox Virus Spread?
People get monkeypox from being close to an infected person or animal or from touching something with the virus.
Rats, mice, and squirrels are thought to be the ones who spread it.
The monkeypox disease is spread by sores, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and things like bedding that have been contaminated.
Officials in charge of health have also said that some diseases can be spread through sexual contact.
However, the WHO also said it looked into many cases of people who said they were gay or bisexual.
People say that the virus is less contagious than smallpox and that it makes people sick in a less severe way.
Monkeypox Treatment
Vaccines used in the program to get rid of smallpox are also protected against monkeypox.
One of the newer vaccines that have been made to protect against the disease has been approved.
WHO says that an antiviral drug made to treat smallpox has also been approved to treat monkeypox.
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.