The Rise of Monkeypox

Zoonotic diseases (diseases that are transmitted from animal to person) are very common in our society. Throughout history, there have been many such as Influenza, Malaria, and Salmonella.

Another one has joined the group that has entered our society recently: Monkeypox.

Transmitted from monkeys as the name suggests, and is a part of a virus that is a part of the variola viruses. The variola virus is what causes smallpox, and this disease has been eradicated from our world. The disease is rooted in a double-stranded DNA virus called the Orthopoxviral genus. There are two mutations or types of viruses that can both be types of Monkeypox: The Congo Basin one and West Africa one. Experts say these have similar symptoms.

Monkeypox itself presents similar symptoms as smallpox and this results in little sores or boil forming of the skin and so far the disease has proved not always fatal.

Common symptoms of Monkeypox can include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.

This new disease that seemed to have first been spotted in a few cases in the United Kingdom has now been declared as a medical emergency and steps are being taken by the CDC to contain it in the United States. Furthermore, it has been discovered that the disease spreads mostly through close contact with individuals who already have contracted the disease and mostly through direct physical contact.

Since the Coronavirus pandemic awareness about public health has greatly increased, and this has led to people being careful about the guidelines to be safe about Monkeypox. With the increasing amount of research being done about the different vaccines to cure or prevent the

disease, the disease is trying to be contained by the CDC. However, safety protocols from the CDC are still in effect as long this new disease is an emergency and should be treated as such.

While the disease itself is not as contagious as Covid or other such diseases related to the respiratory system, it has similar symptoms to a dangerous disease such as smallpox and leaves permanent scars on the body even after it is cured.

The WHO has also passed some information regarding this new disease and has a fatality ratio of around 3-6% of those who contract it. An antiviral agent has been issued for the disease and it is being administered to those who have contracted the disease.