Monkeypox disease has started to become a public concern since the discovery of this disease in Singapore. Because of the location of Singapore close to Indonesia, the Indonesian government also appealed to the public to be vigilant and maintain cleanliness to prevent transmission of this disease.
Monkey pox or monkeypox is a rare infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus from the Orthopoxvirus group. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958, where there were two smallpox-like outbreaks that occurred in a group of monkeys that were kept for research. That is why, this disease was later given the name 'monkeypox'.
In 1970, cases of monkeypox were first discovered in humans in Congo, Africa. Since then, monkeypox has reportedly attacked humans and become endemic in several African countries, especially Central Africa and West Africa. Outside Africa, monkepox infection was discovered in 2003 in the United States, and in 2018 in Britain and Israel.
Transmission of Monkey Pox Disease
Monkeypox viruses can be transmitted through contact with infected animals or humans. The virus can enter the body through the respiratory tract or wounds on the skin.
This virus is generally carried by animals, such as mice, squirrels, monkeys, rabbits, dogs, and porcupines. Consumption of wild animal meat is also one way of transmitting monkeypox virus infections from animals to humans.
Outbreaks of monkey pox that have occurred in Africa are related to hunting, skinning, cooking, and eating infected rat and monkey meat.
Symptoms of Monkey Pox Disease
A person can show symptoms of monkey pox in about 1-2 weeks after the virus enters his body. Some of the symptoms of monkey pox disease are:
- Shivering fever
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Limp
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Sore throat
After 1-3 days of fever, a rash on the skin that is similar to chickenpox begins to appear, which is redness, resilience filled with clear fluid, pus-filled resilience, or nodules. The rash usually appears from the face spread throughout the body.
Treatment and Prevention of Monkey Pox
So far there is no specific treatment for monkey pox. Patients will usually heal themselves within 2-4 weeks after contracting this disease.
The treatment given so far is only to reduce symptoms. Although the symptoms of monkey pox are generally not too severe, the patient should be hospitalized. In some cases, smallpox monkey can experience worsening conditions, cause complications, and even cause death. However, this rarely happens.
Until now, there is no specific vaccine to prevent monkey pox. Maintaining personal hygiene and the environment is one important step to reduce the risk of contracting this disease.
The following are some ways you can prevent monkey pox:
- Avoid contact with animals suspected of being infected with monkey pox.
- Avoid consumption of wild animal meat and meat that is not cooked until cooked.
- Caring for and isolating monkey pox sufferers until healed.
- Implement clean and healthy living behaviors, for example by diligently washing hands using soap and water.
- Use personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, when in close contact with monkey pox sufferers.
- Avoid traveling to regions or countries with a high number of cases of monkey pox.
Prevention of smallpox monkey is the most important step to avoid the spread of this disease. If you have been exposed to monkey pox, the patient needs to be treated by a doctor at the hospital, so that his condition can be monitored. It also aims to prevent transmission of monkey pox to others.
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