What is monkeypox?
We are all petrified by the emergence of another new virus and we are curious to know its potential to cause another havoc and pandemic.
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to a subset of the Poxviridae family of viruses called Orthopoxvirus. This subset includes smallpox, vaccinia, and cowpox viruses. While an animal reservoir for the monkeypox virus is unknown, African rodents are suspected to play a part in transmission. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name 'monkeypox.' The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox.
What does it cause?
It produces flu-like symptoms and
also triggers enlargement
of lymph nodes. Eventually, it produces distinctive fluid-filled lesions on the
face, hands, and feet. Most people recover from monkeypox in a few
weeks without treatment ( 4-5 weeks).
Monkeypox is related to smallpox or
chickenpox? It is more related to smallpox and the smallpox vaccine can provide protection to an extent of 85% from
monkeypox.
