Beware of Monkey Pox: Recognize Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, and Prevention

Hello Friends of Hermina, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated Monkeypox (Monkeypox/Mpox) as a public health emergency and became an international concern (Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14 2024. Mpox was originally discovered in Africa, but spread Currently, it has been found in Southeast Asia. Throughout the world, 99 thousand cases have been found and 208 deaths have been caused by the Mpox variant with a high level of virulence and causing severe symptoms. In Indonesia alone, 88 cases have been confirmed as Mpox.

What is meant by monkey pox (Monkeypox/ Mpox)?

Mpox is a viral infection that was originally found in animals, especially primates such as monkeys and rodents. This disease is caused by the monkeypox virus (Monkeypox virus / MPXV), the genus Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family. Variola virus (which causes smallpox) and vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine) also belong to the genus Orthopoxvirus.

How is Mpox transmitted?

Mpox is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Transmission can occur through contact with body fluids, skin lesions or saliva (respiratory droplets) of infected animals directly or indirectly, or through contaminated fomites (objects) such as clothing, towels, pillowcases, blankets or bed sheets. The MPXV virus can also spread through sexual contact, adding to concerns about its spread among sexually active populations.

What are the symptoms of Mpox?

Symptoms of Mpox vary from mild to severe requiring special treatment at a health facility. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with low immunity are at greater risk of infection and complications can occur.  The symptoms of Mpox are similar to the symptoms of chicken pox (Varicella), but the main difference is the presence of enlarged lymph nodes in Mpox.

The incubation period starts from when the virus first enters the body of an infected person until it causes clinical symptoms, ranging from 6-13 days with an average of 7 days. The infection period is divided into 2 phases, namely:



1. Acute or prodromal phase (0-5 days)
Symptoms include fever, severe headache, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes, muscle pain, and fatigue. Lymphadenopathy can be found in the glands of the neck, armpits or groin. Respiratory symptoms can also be found such as sore throat, stuffy nose or cough.

2. Eruption phase (1-3 days after fever appears)
Clinical manifestations on the skin vary from the appearance of red rashes (macules), nodules (papules), elasticity (vesicles), pseudopustules (elevated nodules, and then breaking into scabs (crusts).

Apart from the skin, abnormalities can also be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals.

Following are some descriptions of lesions on the skin

Management of Mpox

In mild cases, treatment is adjusted to the symptoms experienced by administering medication to reduce symptoms such as anti-fever, anti-pain and anti-itch. Consider giving antiviral drugs only in cases with severe clinical symptoms, extensive skin disorders, or in patients at high risk of complications such as pregnant and breastfeeding women and patients with immune disorders.

Treatment for skin disorders consists of administering antibiotic ointment if there are signs of skin infection, compressing Nacl 0.9% on scab lesions, and applying moisturizer to dry skin. Patients are allowed to continue showering to maintain clean skin but are prohibited from using towels or exchanging the same clothes as other family members. Infected patients  should be isolated to avoid rapid transmission.

Prevention and Control of Mpox


Some steps to prevent Mpox include:

- Avoid direct contact with infected individuals.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
- Use a mask if you are close to an infected person.
- Avoid contact with wild animals which may be a reservoir for the virus.
- Safe sexual behavior (not changing partners and using protection).
- Vaccination especially for those at high risk of exposure.

If Friends of Hermina  experience suspicious symptoms or are exposed to a patient diagnosed with Mpox, immediately consult with medical personnel to get appropriate treatment.

Sumber:

• dr. Debora TM Pasaribu, Sp.DVE
• World Health Organization , Mpox (monkeypox). diakses dari: https://www.who.int//health-topics/monkeypox
• Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Inectious Diseases ( NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology ( DHCPP). diakses dari: www. cdc.gov-mpox
• Kemenkes RI. Pedoman Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Mpox.Jakarta 2023.
• Monkeypox press release. Diakses pada 30 juni 2022 dari: https://webperdoski.id