What is Mpox (Monkeypox) ?

Mpox (Monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox (orthopoxvirus). It was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys, hence the name “monkeypox,” though the disease can be transmitted from animals to humans and from person to person. The virus is prevalent in Central and West Africa, particularly in areas close to tropical rainforests.

Key Details about Mpox:

Transmission:
- Animal to Human: Through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or cutaneous/mucosal lesions of infected animals, such as monkeys, squirrels, or rodents.
- Human to Human: Primarily through close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions, or contaminated objects. The virus can also spread through prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact.
Symptoms:
- Incubation Period: 6 to 13 days, though it can range from 5 to 21 days.
- Initial Symptoms (Prodromal phase): Fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
- Later Symptoms: After 1-3 days, a rash appears, typically starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body, including the palms, soles, and mucous membranes. The rash evolves into pustules and scabs over 2-4 weeks.
Severity: While most cases are mild and self-limiting, severe cases can occur, especially in children and individuals with weakened immune systems. Case fatality rates vary, with the West African strain having a lower fatality rate compared to the more dangerous Central African strain.
Prevention:
- Avoiding contact with animals that may harbor the virus.
- Practicing good hand hygiene.
- Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for infected individuals.
- The smallpox vaccine provides cross-protection against monkeypox, and some antiviral treatments are also available.

History Of Mpox:

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) was first identified in 1958 in laboratory monkeys being used for research, hence the name. However, the virus’s primary reservoir is not monkeys but rodents, such as squirrels and rats, found in Central and West Africa. The first human case of mpox was recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1970 during efforts to eradicate smallpox.

Origin of Mpox:

Natural Reservoir: While the exact origin of the virus is still being studied, African rodents (like Gambian pouched rats, squirrels, and dormice) are believed to be the primary hosts that maintain the virus in nature. These animals can transmit the virus to humans through direct contact or via contaminated environments.
First Identified: It was identified in research monkeys in 1958, but the virus was not recognized as a threat to humans until the first human case was confirmed in a child in the DRC in 1970.

Human Transmission:

Human outbreaks have primarily occurred in regions of Africa close to rainforests, where humans come into contact with animals harboring the virus. The first human cases outside Africa were detected in 2003 in the United States, where an outbreak occurred due to the importation of infected animals from Ghana.

Since 2022, mpox has been recognized globally, with outbreaks in several countries due to international travel, close human contact, and possibly new factors related to human-to-human transmission.

Mpox in India:

First Cases: India reported its first case of mpox in July 2022. The patient, a man who had traveled from the Middle East, was diagnosed in Kerala. Soon after, more cases were detected, and authorities began heightened surveillance and containment measures.
Government Response:
- The Indian government issued guidelines for the management of monkeypox, focusing on early detection, isolation, contact tracing, and treatment.
- Public awareness campaigns were conducted to educate people about the symptoms and transmission routes.
- Designated hospitals were equipped with isolation wards to treat mpox patients, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was involved in monitoring and controlling outbreaks.
Current Situation: The number of cases in India has remained relatively low, thanks to strict quarantine measures for infected individuals and those they come into contact with. The government continues to be vigilant, particularly for travelers returning from countries with active outbreaks.
Vaccination: While there is no mass vaccination campaign for mpox in India, authorities are considering using smallpox vaccines for close contacts of infected individuals, as it offers some protection against the disease.

Overall, mpox has remained under control in India, but vigilance is essential to prevent larger outbreaks.

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What is Mpox (Monkeypox) ?