Cases of monkey pox - a rare, little-known disease - are being investigated in European countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia. Yesterday, the United Kingdom confirmed that the number of cases had doubled, bringing the total to 20. Meanwhile, according to the WHO, the number of confirmed cases of apes in the US, Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal , Italy, Sweden and Australia are thought to be around 100.
But what is this disease which has raised concern among experts?
Malaria is caused by the virus of the same name, part of the same family of malaria virus, although it is much less severe, and experts say the chances of infection are low. It is generally more widespread in remote areas of Central and West African countries, near tropical forests.
There are two main types of virus - West African and Central African. Two of the infected patients in the UK traveled from Nigeria, so it is likely that they are suffering from the West African virus type, which is generally mild, but this still needs further study.
What are the symptoms of monkey pox?
Generally, this virus starts with fever, headache, back pain, muscle aches, swelling and sleep problems. Immediately after the fever, redness and swelling appear in certain areas of the body, which initially starts on the face and then spreads mainly to the palm of the hand and the soles of the feet.
The rash is accompanied by itching and pain as it passes into other stages before it forms something similar to acne, which over time. The infection usually goes away on its own, but lasts from 14 to 21 days.
How can you get infected with monkey pox?
Monkey pox can spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through cracks in the skin, respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth. It can also be spread by contact with infected animals such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, or by objects contaminated with viruses, such as bedding and clothing.
How dangerous is this virus?
Most cases of the virus are mild, sometimes similar to chickenpox, and clear up on their own within a few weeks. However, monkey droppings can sometimes be severe, as loss of life has been reported in West Africa as a result.
Are gays more vulnerable than others?
Edhe pse prej ditësh qarkullon aludimi që thotë se burrat gay janë më të rrezikuar prej këtij virusi, rastet e të prekurve janë konfirmuar edhe tek homoseksualët, heteroseksualë apo biseksualë. Pra, mund të infektohet kushdo që bie në kontakt të ngushtë me dikë që vuan nga lija e majmunit.
Aludimi për gay-it erdhi pasi agjencia e Sigurisë Shëndetësore në Mbretërinë e Bashkuar tha se "një përqindje e dukshme" e rasteve të fundit në Angli dhe Evropë janë gjetur te meshkujt homoseksualë dhe biseksualë, "kështu që ne po i inkurajojmë veçanërisht ata që të jenë vigjilentë ndaj simptomave dhe të kërkojnë ndihmë nëse janë të shqetësuar".
Si kurohet kjo sëmundje?
There is no specific cure for monkey pox, but the signs can be checked to prevent infection. The smallpox vaccine has been proven to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Antiviral medications can also help.
Should we worry?
So far, experts say we are not on the verge of a national outbreak and according to the UK Health and Safety Agency, the risk is low.
"The fact that only one in 50 contacts of the initial patient infected with monkey pox is infected shows how little contagious the virus is. It is a mistake to think that we are on the verge of a nationwide outbreak," said Prof Jonathan Ball. , professor of molecular virology, at the University of Nottingham.
Source: World Health Organization, BBC
