KUCHING: Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.
As per the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox.
Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries.
Public health expert Associate Professor Dr Helmy Hazmi from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) said the chances for monkeypox to spread and become pandemic were less.
“In general, it is not easily spread among humans as Covid-19. This is because monkeypox is spread in a state of prolonged close contact and through obvious contact with infected animals,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
When asked about the mortality rate, Dr Helmy said those infected would usually recover without treatment – however, the symptoms could be more serious for immune-deficient individuals, newborns and young children.
“The symptoms usually include fever, headache, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes and rashes or lesions.
“Rashes start one to three days after the start of fever and are usually found on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. However, other areas such as the mouth, eyes and genitals can also be affected.
“Lesions are similar to chicken pox lesions, which may contain clear or yellowish fluid that can crust, dry up and fall off, and the symptoms usually last two to four weeks.”
Meanwhile, a microbiologist academician from Unimas, Dr Siti Fairouz Ibrahim, said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one of the main ways to prevent the transmission was by disseminating information to the community and health workers on how to prevent the disease from spreading.
“Among the prevention method are avoiding contact with sick or dead animals, animal-based food must be cooked appropriately and avoiding or limiting close contact (particularly skin-to-skin contact) with infected people.
“For those who need to be in contact with infected individuals, gloves and other personal protective clothing and equipment must be worn.
“Other preventive measures, especially for healthcare workers, include vaccination, regular hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub and disinfecting contaminated surfaces and waste properly.”
Should the government procure any vaccines to prevent any unforeseen situation, Dr Siti said currently there was no urgency for this and there was no vaccine specifically for monkeypox.
“However, there are several vaccines available that can provide some protection. These vaccines are actually vaccines against smallpox, which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.
“In the past, those who were vaccinated against smallpox were somewhat protected against monkeypox,” she added.
According to Dr Helmy again, the Ministry of Health constantly monitored the development of the smallpox situation through WHO’s report and monitored the entry of suspected cases through the international gateway.
According to a WHO report dated June 27, 2022, laboratory-confirmed cases by regions include Europe (2933/3413 cases; 86 per cent), Americas (381/3413 cases, 11 per cent), Africa (73/3413 cases, two per cent), Eastern Mediterranean Region (15/3413 cases, less than one per cent) and Western Pacific Region (11/3413 cases, less than one per cent).
