Monkeypox is a viral disease that results in fever, chills and rashes. Though it belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox, its effects are much less severe. Scientists discovered this disease in 1958 and detected it in humans for the first time in 1970. In mid-2022, a global outbreak took place, with many countries reporting rising cases of this disease.

But, what is causing this outbreak? This blog will explain the causes of the monkeypox outbreak in 2022. Read to know more

The Monkeypox virus is the pathogen responsible for the monkeypox disease. This virus belongs to the family of Poxviridae virus and the Orthopoxvirus genus. It is a double-stranded DNA virus that is typically prevalent in tropical rainforests in Africa.

According to researchers and experts, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis which transmits from animals to humans. Researchers have detected its presence in monkeys, certain rodents and primates. Rope squirrels, dormice, tree squirrels, various species of monkeys and Gambian pouched rats are some of the causes of monkeypox transmission.

However, even infected humans can transmit it via skin-to-skin contact. It can also transmit through body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated items. While physical contact spreads this disease, scientists do not know for certain if this disease spreads via sexual transmission routes.

This disease is prevalent in Africa. However, as international travel has become common in today’s world, many other countries worldwide recorded their citizens suffering from this disease.

This disease can spread via close contact. One can cause another to fall ill with this disease through the following means:

• If one comes in contact with monkeypox lesions of a patient, including the ones present inside one’s mouth and nose, he/she can get infected.
• If an individual comes in contact with the body fluids of an infected person, like blood and semen, he/she can also catch this disease.
• Transmission of monkeypox virus can take place via respiratory droplets that people breathe in.
• People can even contract monkeypox if they have touched things that have come in contact with an infected person’s body fluid, like clothing and bedding.
• People can get the virus if infected animals bite or scratch them.
• If people consume uncooked contaminated meat, they expose themselves to the danger of monkeypox.
• Monkeypox viruses can enter a person’s body through a break in the skin, nose, mouth or eyes. If one is in close contact with an infected person for a very long time, he or she can even breathe in this virus.
• Infected people can pass on this virus even during sexual intercourse.

There are two variants of the virus that cause the Monkeypox disease. One arose in Central Africa, and another rose in Western Africa. The outbreak in 2022 is caused by the less fatal West African variant of monkeypox virus. The fact that no one has succumbed to this disease is encouraging news.

The case fatality rate of monkeypox has historically ranged from 0% to 11% among the general population. In the recent outbreak, the fatality ranged from 3% to 6%.

If an individual has been exposed to the monkeypox virus, days or weeks may pass before he displays symptoms of the disease. This disease can be divided into two periods—invasion period and skin eruption.

Invasion Period

During the invasion period, one may experience the following:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Chills
• Myalgia (Muscle-ache)
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
• Fatigue
• Intense Asthenia (lack of energy)

Skin Eruption

These will happen within 1 -3 days of a person getting a fever. Rashes can affect the following areas of an individual’s body:

• Face
• Palms of hand
• Soles of feet
• Oral mucous membranes
• Conjunctivae
• Genitalia
• Cornea

Gradually, the patient will develop rashes that look like flat red bumps. These will, slowly, turn into blisters filled with pus. Infected persons may also experience sores inside their mouth, vagina and anus. In a few weeks, the blisters will dry up and fall off.

When a patient feels unwell and visits a hospital, the doctor may initially suspect the disease to be chicken pox or measles. The medical practitioner may use a tissue sample from a lesion or open sore. They send the samples to a lab for PCR (polymerase Chain Reaction) testing.

The patient may also need to submit his blood samples for the diagnostician to check the presence of monkeypox virus and antibodies. The medical practitioner must store the lesson samples in a dry and sterile container at low temperatures.

Monkeypox is a self-limited disease. Usually, patients suffer for 2 – 4 weeks. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics, prevent dehydration and provide relief.

Additionally, one must note that medical researchers have not yet come up with a definite course of treatment for monkeypox. Some doctors are prescribing Tecovirimat, an antiviral agent based on some data from animal and human studies.

Given below are some of the steps that a patient can take to experience some relief:

• Patients can consume medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to feel better.
• They must isolate themselves until their lesions and rashes have subsided.
• The infected person can take oatmeal baths to experience relief from the itchy feeling of skin rashes. All they need to do is soak in warm water with colloidal oatmeal.
• Patients can cover their lesions with gauzes and bandages to prevent the virus from spreading to others and the environment.
• One must stay indoors, rest well, and drink lots of fluids to experience relief from the symptoms.
• One must avoid contact with pet animals, especially rodents.

This blog has listed all the causes of monkeypox. Hopefully, knowing this information will allow you to take precautions from contracting the disease. It has provided crucial details regarding how the disease affects the human body. Additionally, it has enumerated the symptoms and self-care measures to follow should you get infected.