The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced on February 5, 2021 that the Monkeypox (also called “monkey pox”) resurfaced in Central African Republic (RCA).
Two confirmed cases and 6 suspected cases were detected in the health district of Kembé Satema, after the outbreak was declared over on December 27, 2020.
Reminders on the monkeypox
The monkeypox is a largely self-limiting disease, that is, a disease that resolves itself. Generalized vesicular rash, fever, and painful swelling of the jaws are characteristic symptoms associated with infection. Although there is no specific drug to treat the disease, when intensive supportive care is provided virtually all patients make a full recovery, as we have seen with the current outbreak.
The virus monkeypox is a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus in the family of Poxviridae. Monkeys are not the reservoirs of the virus. The main suspect reservoirs are rodents, such as squirrels (Funisciurus sp. An arboreal rodent), and terrestrial rodents (genera Cricetomys and Graphiurus).
Infection results from direct contact with blood, body fluids, or rashes from infected animals (handling infected macaques, or rodents).
Secondary human-to-human transmission results from close contact with excretions from the infected respiratory tract, with lesions on the skin of an infected person, or with recently contaminated objects.
After an incubation period of 6 to 16 days, the period of invasion (0-5 days), is characterized by fever, severe headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), muscle pain . Then a rash occurs on the face (in 95% of cases), on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet (75%) and almost simultaneously on the body. The rash manifests as maculopapules (lesions with a flat bottom), then vesicles (small blisters filled with fluid), and pustules, followed by scabs. Symptoms of monkey pox usually last 14 to 21 days.
The virus is transmitted from an infected animal or through contact with rashes, blood or bodily fluids of the animal. The virus can also be transmitted person to person through contact and respiratory or direct contact with contaminated bedding or clothing.
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox.
Risk for travelersTravelers to countries in Central and West Africa that report cases should be aware of the risk of infection. However, very few visitors to Africa would be infected with Monkeypox and the risk for the vast majority of travelers is low. The main risk is for long-term residents of the affected areas.
Travelers from Central or West African countries are invited to:
- avoid contact with monkeys and rodents:
- avoid consuming undercooked meat from these or any other sources;
- wear protective clothing, including gloves, if involved in the slaughter or care of animals in affected countries
- observe meticulous hand hygiene (including gloves) when visiting or caring for sick friends and family in affected countries;
- consult a doctor in case of fever or rash during or after travel to affected countries.
Source : Outbreak News Today.
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