Brief Epidemiology of Monkeypox

A Brief Epidemiology of Monkeypox in Africa

Monkeypox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The disease is most commonly seen in rural areas of Africa, where humans come into close contact with infected animals, such as rodents and non-human primates.

The first cases of monkeypox were reported in 1958 in monkeys in a laboratory in Copenhagen, Denmark. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in several African countries, including Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sudan.

The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with the infected bodily fluids or skin lesions of an infected animal or person. The virus can also be transmitted from person to person through close contact with the bodily fluids or skin lesions of an infected individual.

The incubation period for monkeypox ranges from 5 to 21 days. The symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and a rash that typically starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body.

In severe cases, monkeypox can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis and can be fatal, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. However, most individuals who are infected with monkeypox recover fully and develop immunity to the virus.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for monkeypox. The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid contact with infected animals and to practice good hygiene, including washing hands frequently and avoiding close contact with individuals who are infected with the virus.

In response to the ongoing threat of Monkeypox, many African countries have implemented measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus. These measures include:

 

1.      Surveillance: African countries have increased their surveillance efforts to detect and respond to new cases of monkeypox as soon as possible. This helps to prevent the spread of the disease from infected individuals to others in their communities.

2.      Public Education: Many African countries have implemented public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of monkeypox and how to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes information on the signs and symptoms of the disease and how to reduce the risk of transmission.

3.      Case Management: African countries have also established protocols for managing cases of monkeypox, including early diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals, and isolation of individuals who are infected to prevent the spread of the virus.

4.      Vaccination: While there is currently no specific vaccine for monkeypox, many African countries have implemented mass vaccination campaigns for smallpox, which provides some protection against monkeypox as well.

5.      Animal Health Measures: African countries have also implemented measures to control the spread of the virus in animal populations, including culling infected animals and enforcing regulations on the trade of infected animals.

Reference:

World Health Organization. (2021). Monkeypox. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Monkeypox. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/monkeypox/index.html

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Monkeypox. Retrieved from https://africacdc.org/communicable-diseases/monkeypox/

Johnson, A. M., & Anarfi, J. K. (2020). Monkeypox. The Lancet, 396(10249), 635-646. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30566-9

Jentes, E. S., Conteh, L., Bilivogui, P., Bah, E. I., Boatswain, M., Gessner, B. D., ... & Penn-Nicholson, A. (2019). Monkeypox in West Africa: history, epidemiology, and implications for global health security. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 25(6), 1079-1087. doi: 10.3201/eid2506.181553