Virology & Mycology
Open Access

Modes of Transmission of Monkeypox Virus and its Symptoms

Josh Pandey^{* *}Correspondence: Josh Pandey, Department of Immunology, University of Babaseheb, Bihar, India, Email:

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Description

Monkeypox Virus (MPV, MPXV, or hMPXV) causes monkeypox in both humans and animals. It belongs to the family Poxviridae and the genus Orthopoxvirus. Together with the Variola (VARV), Cowpox (CPX), and Vaccinia (VACV) viruses, the monkeypox virus is one of the human orthopoxviruses. It is not a direct ancestor or descendent of the variola virus, which causes smallpox. Smallpox and monkeypox are similar, but monkeypox has a milder rash and a lower fatality rate.

Reservoir

Animals, particularly primates, can carry the monkeypox virus. Preben von Magnus discovered it for the first time in 1958 in lab using crab-eating macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) in Copenhagen, Denmark. An imported Gambian pouched rat from Ghana was found to have infected prairie dogs, which led to the 2003 outbreak in the United States.

The genomic sequencing for monkeypox has been completed. Research studies found that the Indian genome sequences, which included 90%-99% of the genome, belonged to clade IIb's A.2 Lineage.

Transmission

Animal to human transmission of the virus is possible. Animal bites or direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected animal can spread the infection to humans. The virus can pass from person to person through respiratory secretions during extended face-to-face contact or during physical contact, as well as direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids, as well as indirectly through clothing which have previously come into contact with the infectious rash or body fluids. Through the placenta, the virus can infect a pregnant woman's foetus. A 10 to 14-day incubation period is typical. Before the rash appears, prodromal symptoms include lymph node swelling, headaches, fever, and muscle pain occurs.

The genitals regions like penis, testicles, labia, and vagina or anus, as well as other places including the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth, may be affected by the rash in monkeypox patients. Before the rash heals, it undergoes number of stages, including scabs. The rash may first feel itchy or unpleasant and mimic pimples or blisters.

Other symptoms of monkeypox includes flu-like symptoms, chills, swollen lymph nodes exhaustion, back pain, muscle aches, headache, respiration issues (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough).

Monkeypox symptoms normally occur three weeks after the virus has been introduced. Usually 1-4 days after suffering with flu-like symptoms, a rash will appear. Until the rash has healed, all scabs have come off, and a new layer of skin has formed. Usually, the disease lasts for two to four weeks.

Prevention and management

It's crucial that, in contrast to smallpox, human monkeypox is less   likely   to    spread    among    people.    Identification and containment are greatly facilitated by this. Effective surveillance initiatives made by the World Health Organization (WHO) before 1980, are essential for monkeypox management.

Conclusion

The Monkeypox Virus (MPV, MPXV, or hMPXV) causes monkeypox in both humans and other animals. The virus can pass from person to person through respiratory secretions and close physical contact. It can also spread through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Some people first get a rash before experiencing other symptoms, such as flu-like symptoms.