WHO confirms sexual spread of mpox in Congo for the first time

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Health

Context:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it has confirmed sexual transmission of mpox, or monkeypox, in Congo for the first time as the country experiences its biggestever outbreak which has infected over 12,500 and killed about 580, a worrying development that scientists warn could make it difficult to stop the disease.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although with less clinical severity.
The infection was first discovered in 1958 following two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in colonies of monkeys kept for research — which led to the name ‘monkeypox’.

Symptoms:

Infected people break out in a rash that looks a lot like chicken pox. But the fever, malaise, and headache from Monkeypox are usually more severe than in chicken pox infection.
In the early stage of the disease, Monkeypox can be distinguished from smallpox because the lymph gland gets enlarged.

Transmission:

Primary infection is through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of an infected animal. Eating inadequately cooked meat of infected animals is also a risk factor.
Human-to-human transmission can result from close contact with infected respiratory tract secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or objects recently contaminated by patient fluids or lesion materials.
Transmission can also occur by inoculation or via the placenta (congenital monkeypox).

Vulnerability:

Treatment and Vaccine:

There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Monkeypox infection,
But the European Union has recommended a Smallpox Vaccine, Imvanex, to treat monkeypox after the WHO declared monkeypox a global health emergency.