The Monkeypox strain behind the recent outbreak in many contraries including North America and Europe is mutating very fast. The New Strain of the Monkeypox Virus is mutating far more than expected, according to Nature Medicine’s article published by Portugal’s National Institute of Health. Although it’s possible that the monkeypox virus could evolve and mutate many times in a year. Experts were not expecting that the mutation of the New Strain of the Monkeypox Virus will emerge too fast and frequently.
What is the Reaction of WHO To Monkeypox Virus Spread
The World Health Organization might not have declared Monkeypox an emergency yet but the scientists and experts are very vigilant around the world. The WHO has held a meeting with the expert committee to discuss the possibility of declaring an international health emergency due to the recent outbreak on Thursday, 23rd June 2022.
Researchers and scientists found that the New Strain of the Monkeypox Virus is mutating at a very fast pace and it has around 50 genetic variants. However, the average mutation rate was 6 to 12 mutations earlier which reached 50 now. World Health Network announced that the Monkeypox outbreak had become pandemic but comparatively stable.
Since the beginning of May 2022, more than 3000 cases of Monkeypox have been reported around the world to the world health organization. Monkeypox virus also has been reported in the countries where the virus had not been reported earlier.
Origin of the Monkeypox Disease and Spread to the Other Countries
The Monkeypox Virus is from the family of smallpox virus known as Orthopoxvirus. This disease was first detected in Africa, but now it has been identified in many countries of the world including various western countries. Although it is a self-limiting disease but can be fatal if left untreated. Most of the current cases are found in homosexuals.
Symptoms of Monkeypox Virus
The incubation period of the monkeypox virus is7 to 14 days and can vary from 5 days to 21 days. Primary symptoms of the monkeypox virus include:
- Fever
- Rashes
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Chills
- Headaches
- Muscular pain (Myalgia)
- Back pain
It takes three to four days to develop fever, then the patient develops rashes. Generally, rashes begin on the face and on other parts of the body. Mostly on extremities, legs, and hands including palms.
It takes around 2-4 weeks to get cured, Monkeypox is a self-limiting disease but symptomatic treatment is needed. Severe cases can also occur which can lead to complications including scar marks on the face and skin, vision loss, pneumonitis, and multiple organ failure.
How to Prevent Us From Monkey Pox Virus
Prevention is better than cure, and it’s applicable to all kinds of viral infections be it Covid-19 or any other virus. Following are the key steps to prevent us from the Monkeypox virus.
- You should avoid direct contact with patients and avoid playing with the suspected animals that could harbor the monkeypox virus.
- Avoid direct contact with the infected patients.
- Do not touch the materials or articles used by the patient, such as clothes, utensils, or bedding.
- Hand hygiene practices are the golden rule to preventing contamination of viruses.
- Regular washing hands and using sanitizers is the best prevention
- Do isolate infected patients from healthy individuals and prevent exposure who could be at risk for infection.
