It has become a global problem. monkeypoxwhich is spreading rapidly and on a larger scale than its previous outbreaks.

Confirmed cases now they are over 27,000 in 88 countries and mostly found in gay men. Three countries outside of Africa have also reported deaths.

WHO stated global emergency for this disease, while USA they sounded the alarm.

So why should we worry? There is three things which we must take into account:

1. Is monkeypox difficult to treat?
2. Do we have the ability to stop it?
3. Is there a desire to treat a disease that primarily affects gay and bisexual men?

And it may affect mostly men at the moment, but experts warn that, as with Omicron, if the virus continues to circulate unhinderedthen this can also be done more persistent and contagiousthus affecting children and women.

Here are some basic questions and answers about monkeypox.

How is it transmitted?

The monkeypox virus is transmitted close physical contactfor example, through infected skin or prolonged contact.

However, it can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfacessuch as clothes or bedding. However, it is not as easily transmitted as the coronavirus.

It is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease, but a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 95% of monkeypox infections are caused by sexual contact. sexespecially sex between men or with multiple partners.

How dangerous is it?

It provokes mild symptoms such as fever, rash (simple or with pus) and swollen lymph nodes.

There are also severe cases, but usually patients recover within two to four weeksAccording to WHO.

Is this an emergency?

Two weeks ago, the World Health Organization declared the highest level of international alert for monkeypox as cases are on the rise.

The purpose of declaring a state of emergency is to exist global activities and collaboration be it testing or the production and distribution of vaccines and drugs.

The monkeypox virus is currently endemic only to Africaalthough there are fears that the Western world will suffer the same fate.

OUR mortality the main strain of monkeypox in Africa is about one%. In Western countries with stronger national health systems, this percentage is even lower.

Previous outbreaks of monkeypox have been successfully controlled.

How can we protect ourselves?

Citizens must they avoid close contact with people who have a rash or who seem sick.

Monkeypox patients should isolated and contact their doctor.

Some people adjust their sex lives in response to monkeypox warnings, although many find this difficult to implement.

What are the treatments?

There are also two monkeypox vaccines:

1. Ginneos, Imvamun or Imvanex Danish company Bavarian Nordic. It is more modern and is approved for the treatment of smallpox and monkeypox in both the US and Europe. It is 85% effective against monkeypox.
2. There is an older vaccine called ACAM2000 from Emergent Biosolutions. However, its use is limited due to serious side effects.

As far as drugs are concerned, antivirals are usually prescribed. tecovirimat – which is also approved in the US and Europe.

Hospitalized patients may also be given extra fluids and other medications for bacterial infections that may occur.

Can monkeypox be finally contained?

Since it has been identified in over 80 countries, the answer is yes and no.

“It is very unclear to me whether it will be fully tested, some countries will overcome it, some may not” says Professor François Ballou from University College London.

WHO head of monkeypox dr. Rosamund Lewis says it’s possible to stop the epidemic, but warns it’s unclear if the agency can “support countries and communities enough to stop this outbreak.”

endemic countries in Africa – where monkeypox is always present – will continue to fight the virus as it is constantly transmitted from wild animals to humans.

Studies have shown that the problem worsened after mass smallpox vaccination ended.very few people under the age of 50 have been immunized.

The only thing that will stop this is a mass vaccination campaign, but there is much debate about whether this is right or necessary.

What happens if we don’t limit it?

Concerned that the presence of monkeypox it can become permanent around the world, not just in countries with infected animals. Right now, it mostly affects gay men, but the longer the outbreak continues, the more likely it is that the virus will spread more widely.

Isolated cases have already been reported in children as well as women. The risk increases as time is given to the virus to better infect people. We’ve seen how the coronavirus has evolved, and options like Omicron have gotten much better at infecting us.

“If the virus does not change, I personally doubt that it will spread to children or people in general who do not have many sexual partners. But the longer the wait, the greater the risk that it will change,” said Professor Ballou.

Finally, another problem is that monkeypox can infect humans. wide range of mammalssuch as squirrels, rats, moles and monkeys. In other words, there is a risk that the virus will get to other animals and start jumping between species.

According to the BBC, Reuters