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Monkeypox Virus Facts

Monkeypox Virus Facts
Monkeypox virus is a virus that causes a disease considered to be similar to smallpox, but one that has a milder rash and a lower fatality rate. It is considered to be a zoonotic virus, which means it is transmitted to humans from infected animals. Humans are also considered carriers. Monkeypox virus was first identified in 1958 in crab-eating macaque monkeys, a species often used for neurological experiments. Monkeypox virus is usually found in central and West Africa's tropical rainforests. Symptoms of monkeypox virus include swollen lymph nodes, muscle pains, fever, and a headache, before the onset of a rash.
Interesting Monkeypox Virus Facts:
Prebon von Magnus identified monkeypox in 1958 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the crab-eating macaque monkey.
The first case of monkeypox in humans occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When a nine year old boy became infected. Smallpox had been eliminated in the region two years before.
Most cases of monkeypox since 1970 have occurred in regions around the Democratic Republic of Congo. Monkeypox is considered endemic to this region.
The giant Gambian rat was determined to be the source of an outbreak of monkeypox in the United States in 2003. This outbreak occurred in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. One case appeared in New Jersey.
The 2003 outbreak in the United States Midwest was attributed to prairie dogs that had become infected by a Gambian pouch rat that had been imported.
The 2003 outbreak of monkeypox in the United States did not result in any fatalities.
A small monkeypox outbreak occurred in Unity, Sudan in 2005, and another in 2009 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2016 a monkeypox outbreak occurred in the Central African Republic and resulted in 2 deaths out of 26 cases.
Although first discovered in monkeys in 1958, the first case of monkeypox was not identified in humans until 1970.
There were more than 400 cases of monkeypox reported in humans from 1970 to 1986. The fatality rate was roughly 10%.
It is believed that the main route of transmission to humans is through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected animal.
Monkeypox is often compared to smallpox but is considered to be a much milder disease. Smallpox has been eradicated.
When fatalities occur in monkeypox infections it is usually in younger individuals. The rate of fatality is usually between 1% and 10% of cases.
No vaccine has been developed for monkeypox virus but in the past the use of smallpox vaccination has proven to be effective.
Monkeypox is a member of the Poxviridae family and is of the Orthopoxvirus genus.
Transmission of monkeypox occurs through contact with the bodily fluids, lesions, or respiratory secretions of an infected animal or human.
No evidence has shown that human-to-human transmission can sustain an outbreak. It generally relies on animal to human transmission.
Incubation of smallpox is usually between 6 and 16 days, but has been known to occur between 5 and 21 days in some cases.
The duration of monkeypox is usually between 14 and 21 days.


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