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The increase in the cases of monkeypox, a viral disease, is causing concern in the world. The virus, which is transmitted by close contact, can cause high fever and itchy blisters in the body.

WALL - The spread of the monkeypox virus, which is generally seen in African countries, raises concerns. After England, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Canada and the USA, it was reported that the virus was also seen in France, Belgium, Australia and Germany.

The monkeypox virus, which was first seen in England on May 7, has spread to seven countries in Europe in the last two weeks, while Canada has 17 suspected cases. While the number of cases increased to 9 in the UK, 7 confirmed cases in Spain, 5 cases in Portugal, one case each in Italy, Belgium, Sweden, USA, Australia and Germany have been seen so far.

WHAT IS A MONKEY FLOWER?

Monkeypox is a rare virus. It causes a disease similar to smallpox. It is transmitted from animals to humans and more rarely from person to person. This smallpox virus, which was first seen in monkeys in 1958, is mostly carried by rodents today.

The virus is divided into two, the Congo and West African type. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the infection has since been reported in a number of Central and West African countries. Only a handful of cases have been reported outside of Africa so far, and these have been limited to people with travel connections to the continent.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The first symptoms of the virus are fever, headache, swelling, back pain, muscle pain and weakness. After the fever subsides, a rash may develop that usually starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, most often the palms and soles. The rash, which can be very itchy, changes to form a crust and subsides after going through different stages. Wounds can leave scars.

IS THE MONKEY POLO VIRUS FATAL?

Monkeypox virus is usually mild, and most patients recover within a few weeks without treatment. It is known that the Congo strain of the virus has a mortality risk of up to 10 percent, while the West African strain has a 1 percent mortality rate in one of every two cases.

The virus shuts down some aspects of the body's ability to fight infections. In the worst cases, patients can succumb to a fatal shock in the body and blood poisoning.

HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

The virus can be spread through close contact with another person who has monkeypox. The virus can enter the body through skin abrasions, respiratory tract, eyes, nose or mouth. It can also be transmitted through direct contact during sexual intercourse. The virus can also be spread through infected animals such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, or by contact with objects such as bedding and clothing.

IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR THE DISEASE?

Because monkeypox is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox, smallpox vaccines can be used as a preventative measure. One vaccine, Imvanex, has been shown to be around 85 percent effective in preventing monkeypox infection. Antivirals and pooled blood from people vaccinated against smallpox are also known to be used to treat severe cases. No vaccine has been developed for the virus so far.

HOW COMMON ARE THE OUTREAKS?

There have been outbreaks in 10 African countries since 1970. The first cases outside of Africa were recorded with the outbreak in the USA in 2003. The disease had been passed on to humans from prairie dogs. Dogs were transported with small mammals imported into the country. A total of 81 cases were reported, but none of these cases resulted in death.

In 2017, Nigeria experienced its largest outbreak, nearly 40 years after the country's last officially recorded monkeypox epidemic. 172 suspected cases of monkeypox were recorded in the country.

IS THERE THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW EPIDEMIC?

Experts say that monkeypox does not spread easily among people, so the risk of a new epidemic is very low and there is no need to panic. Infectious diseases specialist at the University of California, Prof. Dr. Anne Rimoin said: “This virus is definitely not easily transmitted like smallpox, measles or Covid-19. "It's not easily passed from person to person, and the risk to the general public is very low," he says.

It is stated that monkeypox cases have increased in this period due to the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions. Professor of international public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dr. Jimmy Whitworth said, "My theory is that there are a lot of cases in West and Central Africa. Travelers have increased. So we are seeing more cases. This virus will not cause a national epidemic like Covid-19, but a significant outbreak of a serious disease. We have to take it seriously," he said.