What Causes Monkeypox? | Monkeypox Outbreak 2022 | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

Summary

The script discusses the resurgence of monkeypox, a zoonotic disease first identified in monkeys in 1958 and later found in humans in 1970. It is transmitted from animals to humans through direct contact or consumption of undercooked meat. Symptoms include fever, skin eruptions, and flu-like signs. With the eradication of smallpox, which shared a vaccine, the new generation is more susceptible to monkeypox. Prevention involves isolation, hygiene, and proper food handling.

Takeaways

• 🐒 Monkeypox, also known as 'monkey box', is a viral disease that was first discovered in 1958.
• 🌐 It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can transmit from animals to humans, and was initially found in monkeys.
• 🧬 The virus causing monkeypox is related to the viruses that cause smallpox and cowpox, and has an oval-shaped appearance.
• 🐭 Besides monkeys, the virus can also be found in other animals, particularly rodents.
• 🤒 Human infection occurs through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or mucosal secretions of infected animals or by consuming undercooked meat from infected animals.
• 🤕 Symptoms of monkeypox in humans include fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by skin eruptions.
• 🌍 The disease has the potential to spread globally due to international travel and contact with infected individuals or animals.
• 💉 The eradication of smallpox and the subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination may have contributed to the re-emergence of monkeypox, as the vaccine also provided protection against it.
• 🛡️ To protect against monkeypox, it is important to isolate infected individuals, avoid contact with infected materials, practice good hygiene, and cook food properly.
• 📅 The first human case of monkeypox was identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in 2003, there was an outbreak in the USA linked to imported pet prairie dogs.

Q & A

What is 'monkey box' as mentioned in the script?

Monkey box is a colloquial term for monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by a virus that can transmit from animals to humans.

When was monkeypox first discovered?

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 during outbreaks among monkeys kept for research.

How is monkeypox transmitted to humans?

Human infection can occur through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or mucosal secretions of infected animals, or by consuming undercooked meat from infected animals.

What are the initial symptoms of monkeypox in humans?

Initial symptoms include flu-like signs such as fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes.

What are the skin-related symptoms of monkeypox?

Skin eruptions start within one to three days of the fever, leading to fluid-filled bumps on the face, palms, and soles of the feet.

How long does the monkeypox rash typically last?

The rash caused by monkeypox can last for about two to four weeks before it starts to resolve.

Why might monkeypox have re-emerged as a concern?

One possible reason for the re-emergence of monkeypox is the eradication of smallpox, which led to the discontinuation of smallpox vaccines that also provided protection against monkeypox.

What can be done to prevent the spread of monkeypox?

To prevent spread, it's important to isolate infected individuals, avoid contact with materials contaminated by infected individuals or animals, practice good hygiene, and ensure food is properly cooked.

Is monkeypox a serious disease, and what is the prognosis?

Monkeypox is usually mild, and most people recover within a few weeks. However, it can spread through close contact and may become severe in some cases.

When was the first human case of monkeypox identified?

The first human case of monkeypox was identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a nine-month-old boy.

What was the situation with monkeypox in the USA in 2003?

In 2003, 47 confirmed and probable cases of monkeypox were reported in six states of the USA due to contact with imported pet prairie dogs.