Kenya recorded it's first mpox death three months after reporting it's first case of the disease. mpox formerly called monkeypox is a disease similar to smallpox caused by a virus. It causes flu like symptoms such as fever and a rash that can take weeks to clear. There's no proven treatment for mpox virus but it usually goes away on its own. Healthcare experts recommend getting vaccinated if you're at higher risk for mpox.
Types: There are two types;Clade 1 is endemic to central africa. It tends to cause more serious illness.Recent outbreaks have been less deadly.
Clade2; Is endemic to East africa. Theres been global outbreak of this type since 2022. It's less likely to be fatal.
Outbreaks: Since 2023,there's been an outbreak of Clade 1 virus in East africa including kenya .
Symptoms: Rash,skin ulcers or blisters,fever,swollen lymp nodes ,chills,headache,muscle ache,fatigue. Not everyone with mpox develops all the symptoms. mpox rash appears as a sore on your mouth,face,hands,feet,penis,vagina or anus .Some people have a widespread rash but others only have few bumps or blisters.
.
Causes: An infection with monkeypox virus cause mpox. Viruses are small pieces of genetic information in a protective coating. The virus that causes mpox is a pox virus and a member of genus orthopox virus .
Spreading: It can be spread through direct contact with the mpox sores,contact with saliva ,contact with materials like clothing or towels used by a person with the virus,close intimate contact like kiss or sex,bites or scratches from an infected animal.
Complications: Bacterial infections can lead to loss of vision or eye damage, inflammation in the brain ,pneumonia, respiratory distress, severe scarring etc.
Prevention: The best way of reducing your risk of contacting the disease is to get vaccinated before exposure.
Treatment: There aren't any approved antiviral treatment for mpox but if sick ,your provider might treat you with antiviral drugs like tecovirimat or cidofoviv.
Edited by Lydia nekesa.
No comments:
Post a Comment