What is Monkeypox?
26-08-2023
10:16 AM
1 min read
Overview:
According to a recent statement by the World Health Organization (WHO), as many as 85,765 confirmed and 1,382 probable cases of monkeypox were reported from 110 countries since January 1, 2022.
About Monkeypox:
- Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus which belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus.
- The virus is normally seen in African countries.
- Sub-genus: There are two clades of monkeypox virus, the West African clade and the Congo Basin (Central African) clade.
- Transmission: Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals), for example, bites of infected rodents and squirrels and is also transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.
- Incubation period: The incubation period (the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.
- Symptoms: Fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
- There is no effective vaccine available for Monkeypox infection.
Q1) What are Lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are small lumps of tissue which fight infection. They are part of the body’s immune system and filter lymph fluid, which is composed of fluid and waste products from body tissues
Source: Global mpox cases crosses 85,000, toll rises to 93 in a year: WHO