Mpox, the former Monkeypox disease, has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). As of now, it has spread to more than 100 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Asia, and the Americas. This illness is caused by a virus from the same family as smallpox, but it is generally milder in nature. Typical symptoms include skin rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
The disease is self-limiting, and recovery happens in a few weeks. However, people with compromised immune systems are at high risk for complications, even death.
Mpox is endemic to certain parts of Africa. Most patients are from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The first case outside Africa was reported from the USA in 2003. Just two years ago, WHO declared another global emergency of pox. At that time, there was also a multi-country spread. That outbreak was eventually controlled.
There are multiple ways the virus could travel from person to person. Physical contact with the infected person is the most common route. Any contact with the infected saliva, skin or mucous membrane is dangerous. Such close contact is often the result of sexual intercourse. The risk is higher for someone having several sexual partners.
Close contact in other ways, such as talking, sneezing, or coughing, may also spread the virus by respiratory droplets. Sharing contaminated objects, such as towels, bedding, razors, needles, utensils, toothbrushes, etc., is also a way of getting infected.
Indeed, Bangladesh is still not in the danger zone. However, there is always a risk of the infection appearing and then spreading rapidly. So, we need to understand how to minimise the risk of infection if it ever appears in our country.
First, we must not touch or use any utensils or personal items used by the patient, avoid close contact, and maintain proper distance. If our sexual partner is infected, the best course of action is to avoid sex until they fully recover and a healthcare professional recommends it.
Proper personal hygiene through regular handwashing and sanitisation is critical for safety. Wash hands with soap and water, as we did during COVID-19. An alcohol-based sanitiser is recommended for killing the virus.
Extensive washing and thorough cooking of animal meat are important. This is because Mpox can be transferred from infected animals to humans. Even though the meat we eat comes from animals rarely infected with Mpox, caution is advisable.
Vaccines are available for Mpox, but they are not required for everyone at this point. Generally, those at a high risk of exposure should be vaccinated, e.g., healthcare workers, emergency response team members, people with multiple sexual partners, etc. Two doses four weeks apart are recommended. Someone who suffered and recovered from Mpox already has natural immunity, and no vaccination is necessary for them.
Treatment will support patients, i.e., paracetamol for fever, pain, and bed rest. In an ideal scenario, anyone infected with Mpox should stay home in isolation until they are no longer infectious. However, it is recognised to be not always possible. To mitigate the transmission risk, the patient must make sure not to get in close contact with healthy individuals. Avoid sharing personal items and clothing with others, and disinfect properly after each use. Wearing a mask and covering skin lesions are good practices when going out.
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