Does monkeypox only spread by touch, what are the symptoms? Here are all the questions about the alarming virus.

The number of cases related to monkeypox disease, which has caused the death of 524 people worldwide, is increasing every day. So far this year, the reported number of cases is more than 14,000. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in its latest announcement that monkeypox virus is an internationally significant public health emergency.

Yesterday, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu met with media representatives in Ankara and made a statement regarding the issue. Memişoğlu stated, "We are monitoring the developments regarding monkeypox and COVID-19. However, we do not have any alarm situation at the moment."

Here is the information about the disease that caused panic worldwide after the warning from WHO:

• Is monkeypox a new disease?

After being detected in monkeys in 1958, the first case in humans was observed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. The disease, which was noticed when a smallpox-like outbreak occurred in monkeys in a research laboratory, was named "monkeypox" for this reason.

The frequency of the disease, which is seen in 11 countries where tropical rainforests are located, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is not known exactly. It is estimated that there are a few hundred cases in Africa every year. The disease is occasionally transmitted from Africa to other continents through infected animals or humans, but only a small number of people are affected and regional clusters of cases are observed.

• What is the cause of the disease?

Monkeypox is a DNA virus related to the smallpox virus. There are two subtypes, one in West Africa and the other in Central Africa (Congo Basin). The West African subtype causes a milder form of the disease. Although genetic analyses have not been completed yet, it is predicted that the cases seen outside of Africa are of the West African subtype.

• How is it transmitted?

Contrary to its name, the disease, which is more common in rodents such as squirrels, rats, and mice than in monkeys, is transmitted from them to humans. It is also transmitted through close contact with infected humans or items such as clothes, towels, and sheets contaminated with the virus. The virus enters healthy individuals through cracks/scratches on the skin, mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes), or the respiratory system.

It is thought that human-to-human transmission occurs through large respiratory droplets. The transmission of the disease with large droplets that cannot travel long distances occurs through face-to-face, prolonged, and close contact.

• What are the symptoms?

Monkeypox causes fever, headache, fatigue, widespread body aches, swelling of lymph nodes, and skin lesions (rash). Swelling of lymph nodes is the most important symptom that distinguishes monkeypox from smallpox, chickenpox, and measles. Symptoms appear on average 6-13 days after contact with the virus.

In the first 5 days of the disease, fever, severe headache, swelling of lymph nodes, back pain, and extreme fatigue are experienced, and skin rashes appear 1-3 days after the onset of fever. Lesions on the palms, feet, mouth, genital area, and eyes disappear when they crust and fall off.

• How is it diagnosed?

In suspected cases of monkeypox disease, it is necessary to inquire whether the individuals showing symptoms have traveled to risky areas in the past month or have had close contact with people with similar symptoms.

Since the disease cannot be diagnosed with blood samples due to its short duration in the blood, it cannot be detected by PCR. It is thought that antigen and antibody tests may not always give accurate results, similar to the previously administered smallpox vaccine. In case of suspicion of the disease, samples taken from the lesions should be properly collected and packaged and sent to a laboratory with a "biosafety level 2."

Those who have been in contact with animals or individuals confirmed to have monkeypox disease should be monitored for symptoms and signs for 21 days after the last contact.

• Can there be asymptomatic infection?

It is not certain, but it is believed that monkeypox does not cause asymptomatic disease like COVID-19. The appearance of symptoms in infected individuals will lead to their detection and isolation, so monkeypox is not expected to spread in the community as much as COVID-19 or other infections that are transmitted while asymptomatic.

• Is monkeypox deadly?

Monkeypox generally resolves spontaneously within 2-4 weeks. However, severe illness can occur in immunocompromised individuals and young children. In general, 3-6% of those who become ill, mostly children, die.

EU DONATES 215,000 DOSES OF VACCINE

Meanwhile, the High Representative of the European Union (EU), Josep Borrell, emphasized the need for 10 million doses of vaccine to control the Mpox outbreak, stating, "The Mpox outbreak in Africa is an urgent health emergency. There is a need for 10 million doses of vaccine to bring it under control. Global action and solidarity are urgent. We have secured 215,000 doses of vaccine to be donated to the affected countries, together with our partners at the forefront of this effort."