Original title: Similar to smallpox, the virus reappeared in the United States after nearly 20 years
The monkeypox virus reappeared in the United States as the new crown mutant virus “Delta” ravaged more than 100 countries around the world.
According to the CBS report on July 17, the first case of monkeypox virus occurred in the United States since 2003. The patient has been sent to a doctor for isolation and is in stable condition.
The last case of monkeypox occurred in the United States in 2003. The New York Times reported that in 2003, there was a rare small-scale monkeypox outbreak in the United States. The virus was suspected to have come from a woodchuck, causing nearly 47 people to be infected.
“There is only one flight distance between us and any global infectious disease”
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the itinerary of the monkeypox virus case on July 16, local time. The patient was a resident of Dallas, Texas. He flew from Nigeria to Atlanta on July 8. Arrived at the airport in Dallas on the same day.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement on its official website saying that laboratory tests showed that the patient was infected with a monkeypox virus that is most commonly found in parts of West Africa (including Nigeria). Based on the symptoms and travel history, the clinician judged that the patient had symptoms of monkeypox virus infection before leaving Nigeria: rashes on the face and body.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated on July 16 that a monkeypox patient was found in Texas. / “Washington Post” report screenshotThe Washington Post reported that local officials stated that because the new crown epidemic continues, U.S. airports and flights require passengers to wear masks. Therefore, the risk of spreading monkeypox virus to other passengers through respiratory droplets at airports and flights is higher. low.
Before the current case was found in Texas, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Singapore had recently reported 6 cases of monkeypox. The patients were all travelers returning from Nigeria.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said: “Although this is rare, it shouldn’t cause panic and we don’t expect to pose any threat to the public.”
Philip, director of the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services, said: “This case illustrates how important a strong public health infrastructure is, because we are only one flight away from any global infectious disease.”
Monkeypox virus: similar to smallpox, no treatment yet
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958, when two small-scale pox-like outbreaks occurred in a group of monkeys used for research, hence the name Monkeypox.
The British “Sun” reported that there were more than 30 monkeypox virus cases in monkeys at that time, but none of them died and there was no transmission to humans. It was not until 1970 that human infection with monkeypox virus was first discovered in Africa.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that monkeypox is rare, but it can be serious or fatal. The mortality rate of human infection with monkeypox virus is about 1%, and the incidence rate may be higher for people with lower immunity.
The symptoms of monkeypox patients are similar to those of smallpox patients in the past, but the condition is milder. The initial symptoms of monkeypox virus infection in humans are usually lymphatic swelling, chills, muscle aches, headaches and fever, etc., then a rash will appear and spread, and finally the scab will fall off, usually lasting 2 to 4 weeks.
Monkeypox virus can be transmitted from animals to humans through close contact, and it can also spread from person to person. The main routes of transmission include blood and body fluids. At the same time, droplets can also cause the virus to spread, but long-term face-to-face contact is required. People get the monkeypox virus when they are bitten or scratched by an animal, prepare for game, or come into contact with an infected animal.
Currently, there is no safe treatment. The US Business Insider website reported that clinicians in the United States may use methods such as smallpox vaccine to help control or prevent potential monkeypox outbreaks.
According to the WHO, cases of monkeypox virus usually circulate in forested areas in Central and West Africa. The animal host is still unknown, but it is most likely a rodent.
The World Health Organization recommends that travellers should report any illnesses during or after their return trip to health professionals. Avoid contact with sick, dead or live animals (rodents, marsupials, primates) that may carry monkeypox virus, and avoid eating or contact with game. WHO also recommends that the importance of washing hands with soap, water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be emphasized.
In addition to monkeypox, what other zoonotic diseases?
During the new crown epidemic, in addition to monkeypox, there are still other zoonotic diseases that threaten humans at the same time. The British “Sun” reported that “zoonotic” diseases should also be taken seriously. The Ecological Health Alliance, a non-profit organization in the United States, pointed out that among the 1.67 million unknown viruses on the planet, as many as 827,000 may infect humans through animals. Zoonotic diseases are highly contagious and have a high mortality rate, and may further destroy civilization as we know it.
It can be understood from the official website of the World Health Organization that monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, that is, a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. In addition to monkeypox virus, other typical viruses that cause zoonotic diseases include: Black Death virus, West Nile virus, Hanta virus, etc.
As one of the epidemics that have swept across the globe in history, the Black Death (Plague) swept Europe as early as the 14th century, causing more than half of the European population to die at that time. In May of this year, the Black Death was discovered in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, causing 11 deaths, raising concerns about the possibility of repeating the epidemic of the 14th century.
The Black Death often infects small rodents (such as rats, mice, and squirrels) and is usually transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas. Patients may experience symptoms such as lymph node pain, chills, fever, headache, weakness, and fatigue.
West Nile disease is another zoonotic disease caused by West Nile virus. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and was first detected in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937. In June this year, the first confirmed case of West Nile virus was found in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. According to the local Ministry of Health, a total of 71 confirmed West Nile cases and a total of 7 deaths.
West Nile virus can viciously attack the nervous system, which has caused people’s concerns. According to the World Health Organization, severe cases can lead to muscle weakness, confusion, paralysis and seizures.
In addition, Hantavirus can also cause zoonotic diseases. There are two types of Hantavirus: one causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and the other causes Hantavirus Renal Syndrome Hemorrhagic Fever.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that Hantavirus can infect humans through rodents. With a mortality rate of 38%, the news that a woman in Michigan in the United States was infected with an unknown virus that can cause Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused panic after the news came out in June.
In 1993, the first human case of Hantavirus was detected in the “four corners” of the southwestern United States-Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. Scientists discovered in 1993 that each type of hantavirus can be transmitted by specific rodents and can cause severe and sometimes fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Text/Zhu Yuehong
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