What is Monkey Pox?
Monkeypox (monkeypox) is a disease caused by viral infection from a group similar to smallpox. This disease has actually been discovered by scientists since 1958.
Monkey pox is often found in Central and West African countries, but recently this disease has spread again in several countries outside Africa.
Monkey pox is an infectious disease and transmission can occur through animals and humans. Transmission does not only occur from primates to humans, but can also be transmitted through exposure to other animals, such as infected mice and squirrels.
Development of Monkey Pox in Indonesia
In Indonesia, the first case of monkey pox appeared on August 20 2022. Then, on October 13 2023, the government reported another case of monkey pox.
- Jakarta has 59 confirmed cases.
- West Java 13 confirmed cases.
- Banten 9 konfirmasi.
- East Java 3 confirmations.
- Special Region of Yogyakarta 3 confirmations.
- Riau Islands 1 confirmation.
Causes of Monkey Pox
Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease that occurs due to infection with the Monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family.
Scientists first detected this disease due to an outbreak originating from monkeys used for research. For this reason, this disease is known as monkey pox.
This disease can not only be transmitted by monkeys. Some rodents such as mice and squirrels can also be infected with this disease and transmit it to humans.
This smallpox condition can also be transmitted from human to human, although the risk is quite small.
Risk Factors for Monkey Pox
There are various risk factors that can trigger someone to experience a viral infection that causes monkey pox, such as:
- Having direct contact with or consuming processed products from infected animals
The virus can spread to humans through open wounds from bites or scratches from infected animals.
In addition, consuming meat infected with the virus that causes monkey pox can also cause the spread of this disease.
Make direct contact with someone with monkey pox
The monkey pox virus can spread through direct contact with the sufferer’s body fluids. For example, through saliva that enters the eyes, nose and mouth.
However, remember, human-to-human transmission requires a long time and quite intense contact. That is the reason this disease is quite rare among humans.
Monkeypox Transmission Process
Transmission of this disease can occur from animals to humans, or from human to human. Not only that, the virus can also be transmitted through the placenta from the pregnant mother to the fetus.
Transmission of monkey pox from animals to humans occurs through scratches or bites from infected animals to humans.
Apart from that, exposure to body fluids or blood from hunted animals can also trigger transmission through open wounds on the body. Also pay attention to the use of animal products (meat) made from infected animals.
Meanwhile, human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with infected wounds, scabs, or body fluids of monkeypox sufferers.
Sharing personal items with someone with monkey pox can also be a process of transmission.
Symptoms of Monkey Pox
The symptoms are almost the same as chickenpox, but the symptoms are milder than those of smallpox.
Symptoms of monkey pox will appear after 5 to 21 days after exposure to the virus
Read too :
No Responses