Monkeypox is a large DNA virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus family. There have been more than 4,100 confirmed cases globally.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has decided not to declare monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern as of now.
However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was deeply concerned about the evolving threat of monkeypox, which he said had reached more than 50 countries.
There have been more than 4,100 confirmed cases globally, including at least 13 in Australia. The WHO also acknowledged there were many unknowns about the outbreak.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a large DNA virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus family. Unlike the related smallpox virus, variola, which only affected humans, monkeypox virus is found in rodents and other animals in parts of Africa.
We know of two clades (virus groupings), and it is the less severe of the two currently circulating outside Africa.
Orthopoxviruses are stable viruses that do not mutate much. Multiple mutations, however, have been described in the virus causing the current outbreak.
In the United States, at least two separate strains have been circulating, suggesting multiple introductions into the country.
How far will it spread? Does COVID make a difference?
Does the COVID pandemic increase the risk? Possibly, yes. Due to waning immunity from the smallpox vaccine globally and the spread of monkeypox to many countries already, we may see the epidemic spreading more widely.
If it does so and starts infecting large numbers of children, we could see more deaths because children get a more severe infection.
So, we should monitor globally for clusters of fever and rash, and misdiagnosis as chickenpox, hand foot and mouth disease, herpes simplex or other diseases with a rash.
Another factor is COVID-19. As people recover from Covid, their immune system is impaired. So, people who have had Covid may be more susceptible to other infections.
We see the same with measles infection. This weakens the immune system and increases the risk of other infections for two to three years afterwards.
If the epidemic becomes established in countries outside the endemic areas, it may infect animals and create new endemic zones in the world. It is important we do everything possible to stop this epidemic.
READ | Stampede or mass poisoning? 21 teens die in South African nightclub under ‘mysterious circumstances’
Vaccines and treatments
Past vaccination against smallpox provides 85% protection against monkeypox. Smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, so most mass vaccination programs ceased in the 1970s.
Australia never had mass smallpox vaccination. However, an estimated 10% of Australians have been vaccinated in the past, mostly migrants.
Vaccines protect for many years but immunity wanes. So declining population-level protection is likely responsible for the resurgence of monkeypox seen since 2017 in Nigeria, one of seven endemic hot spots in Africa.
Mass vaccination is not recommended. But vaccines can be given to contacts of confirmed cases (known as post-exposure prophylaxis) and people at high risk of contracting the virus, such as some lab or health workers (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
There are also treatments, such as vaccinia immune globulin and antivirals. These were developed against smallpox.
(With inputs from PTI)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Monkeypox outbreak: Does Covid increase the risk of infection?")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}