MonkeyPox

Amongst the current Covid situation, Nigeria is experiencing a different outbreak. This is the MonkeyPox outbreak, and this is a zoonosis. This disease is commonly spread by small animals such as rodents and can be spread to other animals as well as people. This is an extremely rare disease, and we will be digging deeper into it with this blog!

MonkeyPox is a viral disease that is common near or in tropical rain forests. Common symptoms include: fever, muscle pains, headache, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes. One aspect that MonkeyPox has in common with what we are currently experiencing with Covid 19- is the ability for it to be limited by washing your hands with soap and water. This indicates that it is an envelope virus. Also, (very familiar) LIMIT TOUCHING YOUR FACE and AVOID coming in contact with sick individuals or immunocompromised people. This will lead to a high susceptibility of acquiring the disease. Those in Nigeria, are telling their people to stay home. Something we can all relate to. This is all reminding me of Covid.

Monkeypox can be fatal. The highest rate is 10% in those who have been exposed to the disease. Recently MonkeyPox has been spread from Nigeria to the United Kingdom. Those is England who have been conducting studies of the virus have compared it to Smallpox. While MonkeyPox does not spread fast, nor does it show a huge risk for those in England currently, it is not as big of a problem with only one known case from a traveler. While it is speculated that it will be lingering around for a while, this is the case for anything and they are not worried currently. The disease is characterized by a rash that develops with the onset of symptoms.