Alert in Spain about the possible occurrence of monkeypox: what it is, how it spreads and what symptoms it causes

Now that it seems to some that SARS-CoV-2 has disappeared (which it hasn’t), the health authorities in the United Kingdom have turned their attention to another disease. This is about monkeypox. This is not a new pathology. known since 1970 and each year causes thousands of infections in Africa. However, outside this continent, it usually causes only very small outbreaks in relation to the number of people affected. Instead this time already seven cases, in most cases unrelated, and community transmission is suspected. In addition, other countries are studying suspicious cases. In Spain, for example, eight cases have come to the attention of the public health authorities, although they have not yet been confirmed to be monkeypox.

First English case announced on May 7was a man who recently traveled to Nigeriawhere monkeypox is very common. Therefore, it is logical to think that he got infected there. However, the following two cases were related to each other, but not with the first patient. Except, they didn’t go to Africa. The last four patients were also not recently on this continent and they have nothing to do with the first three. The only common factor is that they are all gay or bisexualwho have had sex with other men in the last few weeks. In fact, although they do not know each other, some of them may have had common contacts in this sense.

All this worries UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), although they made a call for calm out of it. It is necessary that the health authorities, as well as the patient care centers themselves, be vigilant, but the risk does not seem to be high, and the population must remain calm. However, it is requested homosexual people what they discover suspicious lesions on the skin to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What do we know about monkeypox?

Smallpox is the only human disease that has been completely eradicated today. However, others native from that smallpox they are still active today. This is, for example, the case with monkeypox. The symptoms are similar, although thankfully it’s much less deadly.

Two exist types, what’s in West Africa and what’s in the Congo. The first is milder and comes to light in the United Kingdom. gifts mortality about 1%but it especially affects young people, especially children. This is because there is some cross reaction with the immunity generated by the smallpox vaccine. From the moment of illness it was considered eradicated in the 80s this vaccine was considered unnecessary and was withdrawn from vaccination schedules around the world. Therefore, people born after this time are not vaccinated. In addition, children have a more immature immune system, which puts them even more at risk of contracting a more severe form of monkeypox.

As for the incubation period, it seems from 6 to 13 days. The symptoms then go through two phases. The initial in which it occurs fever, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. It can be confused with many other diseases. However, the second phase is much more specific as they are already starting itching and skin lesions smallpox characteristics. Fortunately, in most cases, all this completely passes within a few weeks.

Should we be afraid of this outbreak?

It is not well known what could have happened in the United Kingdom. Monkeypox is known as such because it was first discovered in these primates in Africa. However, it is more commonly transmitted small rodents.

It is more difficult to get infected between people, but it is possible. They are usually caused by contact with lesions, blood, or other fluids of patients. Perhaps this is what happened to the first patient from the United Kingdom as he traveled through Africa. There he was able to contact sick rats, mice or people. However, in other cases, the trace is lost.

It’s not a venereal disease but it is true that during sexual relations there may be contact leading to infection. Referring to transmission of respiratory particlesas explained from Science Media Center this could happen, but only with very close and very long contacts.

The last major outbreak outside of Africa occurred in the US in 2003, when a group of infected prairie dogs were sold as pets in that country. they got infected 47 people.

After that, there were very isolated outbreaks, little more than a couple of cases. In fact, the UK already had one last year, but they just got infected medical workers and people who have visited Africa.

It appears that this time the situation is more complex and there may be a community handover. Health authorities are asked not to panic, but are taking all possible measures to control the situation. Monkeypox in the United Kingdom joins childhood hepatitis as medical mysteries this 2022. We hope both will have an answer soon.