Mpox Virus Disease Information

What is mpox?: Mpox is a disease that is similar to that of smallpox but is caused by the mpox virus and is a family of the orthopoxvirus. It was discovered in 1958 when two cases of pox-like diseases occurred in monkeys. However, the first human case wasn’t until 1960 in a young child. -

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22371-monkeypox

How is mpox diagnosed?: Since mpox is rare and not much is known about the disease, it can be easily misdiagnosed by a healthcare worker. The symptom that usually distinguishes mpox from other pox-like viruses is the swollen lymph nodes.

Additionally, PCR testing is done to confirm a case and detection of orthopox virus is done to observe whether the case is even probable. -

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22371-monkeypox

Symptoms: Symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches and weakness, fatigue, and a rash that turns into blisters. These can take around a week to clear up.

The five stages of the rash include:

Macule: the rash starts as small, flat red spots that last for a day or two
Papule: the spots become hard raised lumps that last between one and two days
Vesicle: The bumps grow in size and begin to look like blisters filled with a clear fluid. This lasts a day or two.
Pustule: The blisters fill with pus and last five to seven days.
Scabs: The pustules become crusty and become scabs that fall off over the course of one to two weeks.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22371-monkeypox

How can mpox be prevented and treated? Prevention methods rely on the public being aware of symptoms of the disease in order to avoid close contact with those who show symptoms. Frequent hand washing and the use of personal protective equipment are also key for preventing the spread of mpox. In addition, individuals with confirmed cases of mpox should isolate from others to prevent spreading the virus.

Treatment: In general, mpox does not require treatment in order for infected individuals to completely recover. Symptoms can generally be managed with common medications that are often used for other diseases. In the case that an infected individual is likely to have a more severe case, there are some antiviral treatments that can be prescribed. There are vaccines available that are recommended for people who may be exposed to the virus or are at a high risk for it.

Trends in epidemiology: Mpox is endemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but in recent years Mpox has begun to spread to the surrounding countries in higher frequencies. The median age of the disease has increased from young children in the 1970s to young adults in the late 2010s and start of the 2020s, likely as a result of the cessation of vaccinations against smallpox, since the smallpox vaccine provided some level of protection against Mpox. Males represent over 50% of cases in Africa. Outside of Africa, cases occur more frequently in males and primarily in adults. Mpox has emerged again in recent years, with researchers suspecting it to be due to waning immunity. The appearance of cases outside of Africa are cause for concern, as they highlight the risk of a potential outbreak in the future outside of Africa. Mpox has similar symptoms to many other diseases and is not often tested for, leading to shortcomings in disease reporting and confirmation. Confirmed risk factors living in heavily forested and rural areas of central and western Africa, handling and preparing bushmeat, caring for someone infected with Mpox, and not being vaccinated against smallpox.