Do Monkeys Cause Monkeypox?
As the global panic around the possible spread of monkeypox rapidly spreads, many people are now asking one question – is monkeypox linked to monkeys? The answer, according to experts, is no.
In a statement, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while there have been sporadic cases of monkeypox reported in several countries in Africa and Asia – including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand – none of these cases has been definitively linked to contact with monkeys.
Despite this reassurance, the global panic around monkeypox is still raging, and many people are refusing to board flights or stay in hotels anywhere near primates until the danger has passed. Should you be one of those people? The answer is a definitive no.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare and highly contagious virus that is spread through direct contact with the saliva or blood of an infected monkey. Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, rash, and muscle aches. Monkeypox is most commonly seen in Central and South America but has also been reported in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. There is currently no vaccine or treatment available for monkeypox.
How is it spread?
Monkeypox is not linked to a monkey. Monkeypox is a viral disease that affects macaques, which are a family of animals that includes monkeys. Infection with monkeypox typically results in a fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus is most commonly spread through contact with an infected animal’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva or mucus. It is also possible for monkeypox to be spread through contact with infected objects, such as bedding or clothing. Monkeypox can be fatal if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a highly contagious virus that mainly affects macaques but can also affect humans.
The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of other common infections, such as the flu: fever, body aches, and headache. However, Monkeypox patients may also experience rash, swollen lymph nodes, and difficulty breathing.
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but it can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough. Keep your family members vaccinated against monkeypox if you think they may come in contact with an infected animal.
How is monkeypox treated?
There is no cure for monkeypox, but there are various treatments available that can help to relieve the symptoms. Treatment options include antibiotics, antiviral medications, and supportive care. If a person is infected with monkeypox, their best course of action is to stay home from work or school for at least four weeks and to avoid close contact with people who are also infected.
Is monkeypox a pandemic?
Monkeypox is not linked to a monkey, and this myth was started by a 2001 study that found antibodies in a chimpanzee near where a monkey had contracted the virus. However, the study did not show that the virus was transmitted from the chimpanzee to the monkey.
Conclusion
After a social media frenzy over the weekend, it has now been confirmed that there is no link between monkeypox and humans. After reviewing reports from across the globe, health officials have found that only one case of monkeypox transmission was reported in the United States this year, and it is not related to the recent outbreak of monkeypox in California.
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