Summary of monkeypox virus

Monkeypox is by monkeypox virus (Mpox virus get MPXV) caused by a kind of zoonosis, the virus belongs to the pox virus variola virus genera, genome for about 197 KB of double-stranded DNA virus. Monkeypox virus found in monkeys for the first time as early as 1958, 1970, first confirmed in humans. Monkeypox viruses fall into two clades: the West African branch and the Congo Basin branch, with the Congo Basin branch being more virulent.

Route of transmission

Monkeypox virus can spread through the following ways:

1. animals to people : mainly through contact with respiratory secretions of infected animals, the lesion exudate, blood and other body fluids, or infected animal bites, scratches and infection.

2.  person-to-person  : it can be transmitted by close contact, such as droplets, contact, and can also be transmitted by contact with items contaminated by the virus.

3. mother-to-child transmission: for vertical transmission to the fetus via the placenta.

clinical picture

Incubation period of monkeypox is 5-21 days, 6-13 days in more. Initial stage characterized by fever, chills, headache, drowsiness, fatigue, back pain and muscle pain, such as prodrome, then a skin rash, usually in the face first, and then spread to the arms and legs. Rash macula, pimples, herpes, and pustules scab over several stages, may be accompanied by obvious itch and pain.

preventive measure

1. Vaccination : although there is no specific drug monkeypox virus, but can get certain cross protection by smallpox vaccine.

2. Personal hygiene  : Improve hand hygiene and avoid contact with rodents and primates, especially in areas where monkeypox is endemic.

3. Isolation measures : Isolate and treat cases, and track and manage close contacts.

What's new

As reported in 2023, monkeypox outbreaks continue to evolve globally, with multiple countries reporting cases, including the first case in a non-African country. In May 2022, the British monkeypox cases were found for the first time after the epidemic outbreak in multiple countries around the world, mainly in the male behavior groups are integrated by sexual contact transmission.

conclusion

To sum up, monkeypox virus is a kind of zoonosis, the route of transmission diversity, including human beings, animals to human contact. The clinical manifestations of monkeypox complex, but mostly self-limited disease, is a rare serious situation. The key to prevention and control of monkeypox is isolation, diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner, and effective vaccination strategy. With the continuous development of monkeypox outbreaks, continuously monitor and science study for understanding its propagation model and optimization is very important to the prevention and control measures.