The WHO warned on Thursday that other imported cases of MPOX were likely to be detected soon in Europe after the reporting in Sweden of a first case of a more contagious and dangerous variant of this disease which has caused at least 548 deaths since the beginning of the year in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the most affected country.
Here’s what you need to know:
MPOX (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Most people recover completely, but some can become seriously ill.
Anyone can get MPOX. It is spread through contact with infected people, including touching, kissing, or having sex; animals, when hunting, skinning, or cooking; contaminated materials, such as sheets, clothing, or needles; or pregnant women, who can pass the virus to their unborn babies.
If you have the mpox:
🔴 Inform anyone you have been in contact with recently.
🔴 Stay home until all the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed.
🔴 Cover lesions and wear a well-fitting mask when around other people.
🔴 Avoid physical contact.
Signs and symptoms
MPOX causes signs and symptoms that usually appear within a week of exposure, but can occur 1 to 21 days later. Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks, but may persist longer in people with weakened immune systems.
Common symptoms of MPOX include:
🔴 skin rash
🔴 fever
🔴 sore throat
🔴 headaches
🔴 muscle pain
🔴 lower back pain
🔴 fatigue
🔴 swollen lymph nodes.
For some people, the first symptom of MPOX is a rash, while others may experience different symptoms first.
The rash begins as a flat sore that turns into a fluid-filled blister and may be itchy or painful. As the lesions heal, they dry up, crust over, and fall off.
Some people may have only one or a few skin lesions, while others may have hundreds or more. These lesions can appear on any part of the body, including:
🔴 the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
🔴 face, mouth and throat
🔴 groin and genitals
🔴 the anus.
Some people also experience painful swelling of the rectum or have pain and difficulty urinating.
People with COPD are contagious and can pass the disease on to others until all sores have healed and a new layer of skin has formed.
Children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at risk for complications from MPOX.
Treatment and vaccination
The goal of treatment for MPOX is to treat the rash, manage pain, and prevent complications. Early treatment and appropriate support are essential to help manage symptoms and prevent further problems.
Getting vaccinated against MPOS can help prevent infection. The vaccine should be given within 4 days of contact with someone who has MPOS (or within 14 days if no symptoms are present).
People at high risk are recommended to get vaccinated to prevent MPOX infection, especially during an outbreak. This includes:
🔴 healthcare professionals exposed to risk
🔴 men who have sex with men
🔴 people with multiple sexual partners
🔴 sex workers.
People with MPOX should be treated separately from others.
Several antivirals, such as tecovirimat, originally developed to treat smallpox, have been used to treat MPOX and further studies are ongoing. Additional information is available on MPOX vaccination and case management.
Self-care and prevention
Most people with COPD will recover within 2 to 4 weeks.
Source : OMS
