On May 25, Beijing time, the world monkeypox epidemic map continued to expand. Monkeypox patients appeared for the first time in Czech Republic , Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates.
The monkeypox epidemic has reported 237 confirmed and suspected cases, affecting 21 countries outside Africa. This number is expected to increase in the future.
At present, monkeypox has not been introduced into China . Is this possible in the future? Could this virus cause a global pandemic in the future?
What is monkeypox
Monkeypox was discovered in monkeys in 1958. In 1970, The Democratic Republic of the Congo found the first case of human infection with the virus. But for many years, it was just an endemic disease.
Although the name "monkeypox" sounds related to monkeys, monkeys are not actually the source host of the virus. Some evidence suggests that rodents native to Africa, such as the Gambian giant rat and squirrels, may be the source host of the virus.
The United Nations website introduces that monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis. The patient's symptoms are similar to those observed in smallpox patients in the past, but the clinical severity is milder.
How long is the incubation period of monkeypox?
At present, the UK has announced that confirmed cases of monkeypox and close contacts need to undergo a three-week quarantine.
The reason for the 21-day quarantine is that the incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) for monkeypox is usually 6 to 16 days, but can be 5 to 21 days.
infection can be divided into two stages: the onset period (0-5 days) occurs with fever, severe headache, lymphadenopathy ( lymph node enlargement ), back pain, myalgia (muscle pain), and severe fatigue (lack of energy); During the rash phase (within 1-3 days after the onset of fever), different stages of rash appear, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. Rashes most commonly occur on the face (95% of cases), palms, and soles (75%). The rash changes from maculopapular rash (flattened lesions at the bottom) to vesicles (fluid-filled vesicles) and pustules, which will scab after about 10 days and will completely disappear after about three weeks.
Most infected people will recover within a few weeks, but some infected people become seriously ill or even die.
What are the transmission routes of monkeypox?
How is the monkeypox virus "transmitted from animals to humans"? There are two situations: one is direct contact with the blood, body fluids, skin or mucous membrane lesions of infected animals, etc.; the other is eating infected animals that have been improperly cooked.
Generally speaking, human-to-human transmission of monkeypox virus is uncommon.
Current transmission may occur in intimate relationships, through close contact of mucous membranes or non-intact skin with infectious material in lesions, or through large numbers of respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
How to protect yourself
According to an article published on the 21st by the "Huashan Infection" public account of the National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases and the Department of Infectious Diseases of Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, any illness during travel or after returning from an endemic area should be reported to health professionals. , including information about all recent travel and immunization history.
Residents and travelers to endemic countries should avoid contact with, and consumption or handling of, sick animals (dead or alive) that may carry monkeypox virus (rodents, marsupials, primates) Wild game (bush meat). The importance of hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based disinfectants should be emphasized.
China's ongoing new crown epidemic prevention work is also effective in preventing the introduction of monkeypox. Currently, a 14+7-day quarantine policy is adopted for immigrants entering the country. As long as the entry quarantine policy is complete, potential threats can be blocked.
There is no need for the general public to fear the threat of monkeypox.
Red Net Moment News reporter Kang Xiaoqiao compiled the report
