Originating from Central Africa, the disease isn’t that well known due to most cases being dormant since the 70s, initially being discovered in the 50s by researchers working with a lab monkey. It’s transmitted through actions such as coughing and sneezing saliva, and respiratory droplets doing the rest of the work. Symptoms of the disease are very similar to the infamous smallpox as it originates from the Orthopoxvirus family. Most cases outside of Africa have come from international travel with no spread. Monkeypox symptoms include fevers, backaches, chills, and many more symptoms that are relative to our very own COVID-19. However the most notable features comes with the physical impediments which are an excessive amount of rashes and blisters that cover the entire body. What’s relevant about this now is that it has finally seen some rapid spread around the world.
We have learned to live with Covid-19 and accommodate its needs in order to survive. As time passed first came the waves, as things seemed to begin to sort out and the Earth was catching its breath, a surge of Covid cases would hit and it was back in business. At the same time, news of different variants emerging made it clear to everyone that this mutable disease was never ending. As of today, Massachusetts is the home to the very first American case of a disease known as Monkeypox. What’s interesting to note is that this disease is physically noticeable, therefore predictable and easy to isolate from. But this cannot distract you from the fact that this disease has had an outbreak of sorts around the world. With reports brought forth by Nature.com there have already been 120 confirmed cases around the world, alarming scientists and leaving them and everyone else wondering as to why this is happening. And according to AP News, scientists say that for these cases to be appearing in different parts of the world means that the disease transmissions have been present for some time. Luckily, this disease has a low fatality rate (3-6%) with most cases going away with time, proper care, and a vaccine. Not being likely to spread further than it already has, let's hope I don’t jinx myself.
Questions
1. How likely do you think a Monkeypox spread is?
2. Does animal exportations or international travel play bigger part in the spread?
3. Would you rather get Covid or Monkeypox?
Sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01421-8
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/05/18/monkeypox-faq/
https://apnews.com/article/science-health-africa-france-56c405d91f650a41593a4a03c0ab9d79
2 comments:
If I had to guess how the disease is spread I would assume it is from simply the coughing and sending the pathogen into an airborne state. I dont think animals are corralated to the spread because if so if all 120 cases reported involved being near an animal am sure it would of been noted in the report. Though international travel does undoubtly cause increased spread of the disease. as for between covid and monkey pox I would rather get covid since there has already been a signifigant social impact from covid and how to deal with it is much more known so I think I got a better chance with covid than monkey pox.
With the rate at which Monkeypox is spreading, I think it is likely to have another surge possibly in the near future. I think international travel might play a more significant part in the spread, as people are traveling between countries therefore there is a larger radius for a spread to occur and a higher chance if one were to travel from where an outbreak of cases occurred. Despite a lower fatality rate for Monkeypox, I agree that I would rather get COVID because scientists have much more knowledge on this disease as they have been working with it for the past two years. In addition, there is much more research on this disease and understanding of the variants of COVID. Monkeypox on the other hand is relatively new and scientists are still learning more about its short-term and long-term effects.
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