_edited.png)
Article by: Sharon Wong Shi May
Monkeypox (Mpox) is a contagious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. This virus shares characteristics with the smallpox virus as both belong to the same genus and family. On 23 June 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this disease as a global public health emergency, approximately two years after the onset of a contagious respiratory disease, COVID-19, at the end of 2019 (Chopra et al., 2022).
The signs and symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscular pains, back discomfort, fatigue, rash, and lymph node enlargement, lasting from two to four weeks. The rashes first appear on the face and gradually spread to other body parts, such as the palms, feet, mouth, throat, and groin. The lesions are described as flat and fluid-filled before becoming crusty and dry.
Monkeypox spreads through physical contact with the lesions, bodily fluids, and respiratory droplets of an infected person, much like COVID-19. This is because the Mpox virus is present in the lesions. Unless the lesions have crusted over and a new layer of skin has formed beneath, the patients remain infectious. The death rate from this disease is very low, as the symptoms usually go away on their own within a few weeks with supportive care. The fatality rate fluctuates around 3-6%. (Chopra et al., 2022). This disease poses a particular threat to newborns, children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients.
To tackle this issue, the ACAM2000 vaccine and Jynneos Mpox vaccine, with brand names Imvamune and Imvanex, are administered to individuals aged 18 years and above who are at high risk. On 22 July 2022, Imvanex was proposed to be made accessible to adults for increased protection against Mpox (Chopra et al., 2022). Recently, according to Agarwal (2024), the Imvanex vaccine was recommended for those aged 12-17 years, to enhance protection and prevent rapid spread. Research found that the vaccine offers similar protection in both age groups, with no additional risks identified.
In conclusion, monkeypox is a highly contagious disease which can spread easily between individuals. Therefore, it is advisable to protect ourselves by sanitizing infected areas, maintaining good hygiene, and isolating those who have contracted the virus.
Citations:
Agarwal, D. (2024). EMA Broadens Imvanex Vaccine Use to Teens as Mpox Cases Rise. [online] Medscape. Available at: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ema-broadens-imvanex-vaccine-use-teens-mpox-cases-rise-2024a1000h47?&icd=login_success_email_match_fpf [Accessed: 21 September 2024].
Chopra, H., Dhawan, M., Bibi, S., Baig, A.A., Kushwah, A.S., Kaur, M. and Emran, T.B. (2022). FDA approved vaccines for monkeypox: Current eminence. International Journal of Surgery, 105, p.106896. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106896. [Accessed: 21 September 2024]
留言