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Introduction
Nigeria is currently grappling with a mpox outbreak, raising concerns across the country. Mpox is a viral disease that can spread from animals to humans and between humans.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak of mpox to be a global public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
After 1970, mpox occurred in Central, East, and West Africa. In 2003, an outbreak in the United States of America was linked to imported wild animals. Since 2005, thousands of suspected cases have been reported in the DRC every year. In 2017, mpox re-emerged in Nigeria and continued to spread among people across the country and among travellers to other destinations.
Virus types
There are two types of mpox virus: clade I and clade II.
Clade I causes more severe illness and death. Some outbreaks have killed up to 10 per cent of the people who get sick, although more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa. Clade II is the type that caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections from clade II mpox are less severe. Clade II is endemic to West Africa.
How it spreads
Regardless of type, mpox virus can spread to anyone through personal contact, including direct skin-to-skin contact with mpox rash or scabs from a person with mpox, contact with saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), and bodily fluids or lesions around the anus, rectum, or vagina from a person with mpox. Pregnant women with mpox can pass the virus to the fetus during pregnancy or to the newborn during and after birth.
Signs and symptoms
Signs of infection typically begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Symptoms last two to four weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
Common symptoms of pox are rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. For some people, the first symptom of pox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms.
Children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are more at risk for complications when they contract mpox.
Diagnosis
It is important to distinguish mpox from chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmissible infections, and medication-associated allergies. Someone with mpox may also have another sexually transmissible infection, such as herpes. A child with suspected mpox may also have chickenpox. For these reasons, testing is key for getting treatment as early as possible and preventing further spread.
Treatment and vaccination
The goal of treating mpox is to control the rash, manage pain, and prevent complications. As such, getting a mpox vaccine can help prevent infection. The vaccine should be given within four days of contact with someone who has mpox or within 14 days if there are no symptoms.
It is recommended that people at high risk get vaccinated to prevent infection with mpox, especially during an outbreak. Persons who have mpox should be cared for away from other people.
Several antivirals, such as tecovirimat, originally developed to treat smallpox, have been used to treat mpox, and further studies are underway.
Self-care and prevention
Most people with mpox will recover within two to four weeks. To help the symptoms and prevent infecting others, engage in self-isolation. Wear a mask around other people and cover lesions until your rash heals. Also, wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially before or after touching sores.
The WHO also advises using saltwater rinses for mouth sores, taking sitz baths or warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salts for body sores, and taking over-the-counter medications for pain like paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.
Conclusion
As Nigeria currently faces a mpox outbreak, it is important for people to stay informed and take preventive measures. Follow health guidelines and seek medical advice if you suspect any symptoms. Together, we can overcome this challenge and protect our communities from further spread.
Editor’s Note: The word “Monkeypox” was reviewed to mpox, following the WHO guideline.
