The UAE authorities have issued a WHO Q&A on viral zoonotic diseases and prevention methods

Dubai Companion Help shares with you the WHO Q&A on viral zoonotic diseases and prevention methods released by the UAE authorities!

Tips on what monkeypox is and how it spreads to stay safe.

With more than 90 confirmed cases of viral zoonotic monkeypox reported in 12 countries, the UAE Ministry of Health has assured the public that the country is fully prepared to deal with its spread.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is currently studying and assessing the severity of the disease locally and is requiring medical institutions to report any suspected cases.

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre published on its website a Q&A from the World Health Organization about the virus that causes the disease, its symptoms, its transmission patterns and how people can stay away from it.

1. What is monkeypox?

It is a zoonotic viral disease, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread from person to person.

2. Where is monkeypox usually found?

It is common in Central and West Africa, where tropical rainforests and animals that may carry the virus usually live there. After traveling from there, people with monkeypox are occasionally found in other countries outside of these two endemic areas.

3. What are its symptoms?

Symptoms usually include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, back pain, lack of energy, lymphadenopathy, and rash or lesions. The rash usually begins within one to three days of the onset of fever.

Lesions may be flat or slightly raised, filled with a clear or yellowish liquid, and then crusted, dried up and shed. The number of lesions in a person can range from a few to several thousand. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms, and soles of the feet. They can also be found on the mouth, genitals and eyes.

Symptoms usually last two to four weeks and disappear on their own without treatment. If you think you may have symptoms of monkeypox, seek advice from your healthcare provider. Also, if you have had close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed monkeypox, let them know.

4. Will people die of this disease?

In most cases, the symptoms of monkeypox go away on their own within a few weeks, but in some people, they can lead to medical complications and even death. Newborns, children, and people with underlying immunodeficiency may be at greater risk of monkeypox symptoms and death.

Complications in severe cases of monkeypox include skin infections, pneumonia, insanity, and eye infections, all of which can lead to vision loss. Recently, in endemic countries, approximately 3% to 6% of reported cases result in death, usually children or people who may have other health conditions. It is important to note that this may be overrated because monitoring in endemic countries is limited.

5. How did it spread from animals to humans?

Monkeypox can spread to people when people come into physical contact with infected animals. Animal hosts include rodents and primates.

Avoiding unprotected contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or dead (including their flesh and blood), can reduce the risk of monkeypox contracting from animals.

In endemic countries where animals carry monkeypox, any food containing animal meat or animal parts should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

6. How does it spread from person to person?

People with monkeypox are contagious when symptoms appear (usually lasting two to four weeks).

You can get monkeypox by making close physical contact with people who have symptoms. Rashes, body fluids (such as fluids, pus, or blood from skin lesions), and crusting are particularly contagious. Items such as clothing, bedding, towels or cutlery contaminated with the virus as a result of contact with an infected person may also infect others.

Mouth ulcers, injuries, or ulcers can also be contagious, meaning the virus can be transmitted through saliva. As a result, people in close contact with infected people, including health workers, family members and sexual partners, are at greater risk of infection.

The virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant person through the placenta to the fetus, or from an infected parent through skin-to-skin contact during or after birth.

It is unclear whether people without symptoms will spread the disease.

7. How can I protect myself and others?

You can reduce your risk by limiting exposure to people who are suspected or diagnosed with monkeypox.

If you do need physical contact with someone with monkeypox because you are a health worker or cohabitant, encourage the infected to self-isolate and cover any skin damage as much as possible (e.g., dress on a rash).

When you are close to them, they should wear a medical mask, especially if they have a cough or lesion in their mouth. You should also wear one. Avoid skin contact as much as possible, and if you are in direct contact with the lesion, use disposable gloves. If the person cannot handle any clothes or bedding on their own, wear a mask.

Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with infected people, their clothes, sheets, towels, and other items or surfaces they have come into contact with or may have been exposed to (e.g., cutlery, cutlery). Wash patients' clothes, towels, bed linen and dishes with warm water and detergent. Clean and disinfect any contaminated surfaces and dispose of contaminated waste (e.g., dressings) appropriately.

8. Can children get the virus?

Children are generally more likely to develop severe symptoms than adolescents and adults. The virus can also be transmitted to fetuses or newborns through birth or early physical contact.

9. What if I think I might be infected?

If you believe you have symptoms or have had close contact with someone with monkeypox, contact your health worker for advice, testing, and medical care. If possible, self-isolate and avoid close contact with others. Clean your hands regularly and take the steps described above to protect others from infection.

10. Is there a vaccine against monkeypox?

There are several vaccines available to prevent smallpox, and they also provide some protection against monkeypox.

A new vaccine developed for smallpox (MVA-BN – also known as Imvamune, Imvanex or Jynneos) was approved in 2019 to prevent monkeypox, but has not yet been widely used. WHO is working with manufacturers to improve accessibility.

People who have been vaccinated against smallpox in the past also have some protective effects against monkeypox. The original smallpox vaccine is no longer available to the public, and people between the ages of 40 and 50 are unlikely to be vaccinated since smallpox became the first disease to be eradicated in 1980. Some laboratory workers or health workers may have been vaccinated against newer smallpox.

11. Is there a cure?

Monkeypox symptoms usually resolve spontaneously without treatment.

It is important to take care of the rash and dry it if possible, or to cover it with a moist dressing to protect the area when needed. Avoid contact with any sores in the mouth or eyes. As long as you avoid products containing cortisone, you can use mouthwashes and eye drops.

Vaccinia immunoglobulin (VIG) may be recommended for severe cases. An antiviral drug for the treatment of smallpox (tecovirimat, commercialized TPOXX) was also approved in January 2022 for the treatment of monkeypox.

12. Where in the world is there currently a risk of contracting the virus?

Since 1970, 11 African countries have reported human monkeypox cases – Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone and South Sudan.

Cases occasionally occur in non-endemic countries. These are usually reported in people who have been to endemic countries. One outbreak is caused by contact with animals infected with other imported small mammals.

In May 2022, multiple cases of monkeypox were detected in several non-endemic countries. This is not a typical feature of monkeypox patterns in the past. WHO is working with all affected countries to strengthen surveillance and provide guidance on how to stop transmission and how to care for those infected.

13. Is there a risk that this will become a bigger outbreak?

Monkeypox is not generally considered highly contagious because it requires close physical contact with a contagious person (e.g., skin-to-skin) to spread from person to person. The risk to the public is low.

WHO has made responding to this outbreak a high priority to avoid further spread; for many years, it has identified monkeypox as a priority pathogen. The cases we are currently seeing are not typical of monkeypox outbreaks, as no animals traveled from or exported from endemic countries have been reported. Determining how the virus spreads and protecting more people from infection is a priority for WHO. Raising awareness of this new situation will help to prevent further spread.

14. Why is this disease called "monkeypox"?

The disease is known as monkeypox because it was first identified in 1958 in monkey populations preserved for research. It was only later discovered in humans in 1970.