Facts about Monkeypox viral disease

Monkeypox is a viral disease that produces pox lesions on the skin and is closely related to smallpox but is not nearly as deadly as smallpox was. The history of monkeypox is new (1958), and the first human cases were diagnosed and differentiated from smallpox in the early 1970s. Monkeypox virus causes monkeypox. The majority of cases are transmitted from animals (rodents) to humans by direct contact. Person-to-person transfer, probably by droplets, can occur infrequently. Risk factors for monkeypox include close association with African animals (usually rodents) that have the disease or caring for a patient who has monkeypox. During the first few days, symptoms are nonspecific and include fever, nausea, and malaise. After about four to seven days, lesions (pustules, papules) develop on the face and trunk that ulcerate, crust over, and begin to clear up after about 14-21 days, and lymph nodes enlarge. There may be some scarring. The diagnosis of monkeypox is often made presumptively in Africa by the patient’s history and the exam that shows the pox lesions, however, a definitive diagnosis is made by PCR, ELISA, or Western blotting tests that are usually done by the CDC or some state labs. Definitive diagnosis is important to rule out other possible infectious agents like smallpox. Treatment may consist of immediate vaccination with smallpox vaccine because monkeypox is so closely related to smallpox. Treatment with an antiviral drug or human immune globulin has been done. In general, the prognosis for monkeypox is good to excellent as most patients recover. The prognosis may decrease in immune-compromised patients, and patients with other problems such as malnutrition or lung disease may have a poorer prognosis. Monkeypox are preventable as long as people avoid direct contact with infected animals and people. Vaccination against smallpox seems to afford about an 85% chance of avoiding the infection. There is no commercially available vaccine specifically for monkeypox. Research is ongoing to study antivirals, genetics, and rapid tests for monkeypox.

What is monkeypox?

pictures of monkeypox virus affected patients

Monkeypox virus infected patient


What is the history of monkeypox?


What causes monkeypox? How is monkeypox transmitted?



What are risk factors for monkeypox?


What are monkeypox symptoms and signs?

The first symptoms that occur are nonspecific — fever, sweating, malaise, and some patients may develop a cough, nausea, and shortness of breath. About two to four days after fever develops, a rash with papules and pustules develops most often on the face and chest, but other body areas may eventually be affected, including mucus membranes inside the nose and mouth. These skin and mucus membrane pox lesions can ulcerate, crust over, and then begin to heal in about 14-21 days. In addition, lymph nodes usually swell during this time. Some pox lesions may become necrotic and destroy sebaceous glands, leaving a depression or pox scar that, with monkeypox, may gradually become less pronounced over a few years. The toxemia that was seen with smallpox is not seen with monkeypox.

How is monkeypox diagnosed?

The history (especially association with rodents or other animals) and physical exam (present of pox lesions) is presumptive evidence for a diagnosis of monkeypox. Caution is advised. Infectious-disease consultants and CDC personnel should be notified because this infection may represent two additional problems. First, in the U.S. or other countries, it may likely indicate an outbreak of monkeypox, and informed health authorities may help to identify the source of the infection and prevent its spread. The second problem is unlikely but far more serious; the early symptoms may represent a biological warfare or terrorist attack with smallpox that is mistakenly identified as monkeypox. Consequently, definitive diagnosis of this viral disease, outside of Africa, and especially in developed countries where monkeypox is not endemic, is urged. Most laboratories do not have the reagents to do this testing, so state labs or the CDC will need to process the samples to establish a definitive diagnosis. These tests are based on detecting antigenic structures (usually from skin or pox samples or occasionally serum) specific to either monkeypox virus or immunoglobulin that reacts with the virus. PCR (polymerase chain reaction), ELISA techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), or Western blotting tests (immunoblotting) are the main tests used.

What is the treatment for monkeypox?

The CDC recommends the following:

A smallpox vaccination should be administered within two weeks of exposure to monkeypox.Cidofovir (Vistide), an antiviral drug, is suggested for patients with severe, life-threatening symptoms.Vaccinia immune globulin may be used, but efficacy of use has not been documented.


What is the prognosis of monkeypox?


Can monkeypox be prevented?



Patients with depressed immune systems and those who are allergic to latex or smallpox vaccine should not get the smallpox vaccine.Anyone else who has been exposed to monkeypox in the past 14 days should get the smallpox vaccine, including children under 1 year of age, pregnantwomen, and people with skin conditions.

There is no commercially available vaccine designed specifically for monkeypox.

What research is being done on monkeypox?

Research is ongoing with monkeypox virus. For example, prairie dogs are being used as animal models to test the effectiveness of vaccinations. Several studies are using animal models to test the effectiveness of several antiviral drugs to reduce or eliminate symptoms in experimental infections. Because of the close relationship of smallpox to monkeypox, genetic comparison and genetic alteration studies are likely to be available in the future, along with more rapid detection tests.

Where can people get more information about monkeypox?

Additional information about monkeypox can be found at these web sites:

“Monkeypox,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“Monkeypox,” Medscape.com

“Updated Interim CDC Guidance for Use of Smallpox Vaccine, Cidofovir, and Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) for Prevention and Treatment in the Setting of an Outbreak of Monkeypox Infections,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Update from Nigeriaplatform.com