Monkeypox is spreading among humans in three European countries, and health authorities sound the alarm about the spread of the virus
By: VirgilioNotizie | Posted on: 18-05-2022 21:36
Cases of monkeypox in several European countries, and the health authorities are launching the alert for the spread of this virus. At least 8 men had symptoms in Spain, even if confirmation of the diagnosis is awaited. In the United Kingdom 7 cases have been identified since the beginning of the month. In Portugal there would be at least 5 confirmed cases, with another 15 people having undergone screening activities.
What is Monkeypox
The disease is caused by the poxvirus of monkeys (or monkeypox), and is generally not transmitted with particular speed. This is why one is unlikely to break out new pandemic.
However, it cannot be ruled out that something has changed for this particular pathogen, first identified in 1958. In the 1970 a human being was infected for the first time.
There isn’t one treatment, and usually the course of the disease lasts a few weeks. In Third World countries, monkeypox is fatal for 10% from the people.
I sintomi del monkeypox
I symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of human smallpox. About 12 days after exposure to the virus (but incubation can last much longer), the disease manifests itself in the following ways.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Muscle aches.
- Backache.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- General malaise.
- Tiredness.
Manifestation of smallpox.
After a few days of the onset of fever, the patient also develops pustules, which typically appear on the face, and then spread to the rest of the body. The disease lasts for two to four weeks.
How the disease is transmitted
Humans typically contract monkeypox through a bite or with the contact direct with blood, body fluids or injuries from an infected animal. Human-to-human transmission is less frequent, and the disease is less contagious than the human variant.
Even among people, the contagion occurs through direct contact with fluids of an infected person or even with objects contaminated from the virus such as underwear or clothing.
Who is most at risk today
The cases that have emerged in Spain concern homosexual or bisexual men who have relationships with other menlike half of British patients.
The hypothesis is that the infection occurred for via sexualand in the UK some links have been identified between various hospitalized men.
Health authorities theorize that the disease is becoming one sexually transmitted diseasebut new investigations will need to be conducted to confirm this.
In the UK, men belonging to the LGBTQ + community are advised to pay particular attention, but remember that diseases do not distinguish between gender or identity sexualand it is therefore good to consult a doctor at the first symptoms.
Photo font: Reuters