Tag: monkeypox

Categories : Diseases, Syndromes and ConditionsTags :

First Confirmed Monkeypox Case in SA

On By ModernMedia
Source: Wikimedia CC0

South Africa has recorded its first case of monkeypox Thursday, 23 June. Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said that he received a report from the National Health Laboratory Services’ CEO that lab tests have confirmed the first case of monkeypox in South Africa, a 30-year-old man from Johannesburg.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has prepared information on monkeypox symptoms and treatment. However, the pharmaceutical treatments for it (tecovirimat and brincidofovir) are not registered in South Africa.

Symptoms and epidemiology

The monkeypox virus causes symptoms similar to smallpox, but less severe. Symptoms include:

  • Skin rash
  • Headache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Muscle and body pains
  • Back pain
  • Weakness

The monkeypox virus is endemic to Central and West Africa in two distinct clades with differing severities: the West Africa (< 1% case fatality rate) and the Congo Basin (11% case fatality rate). Human-to-human transmission can occur via contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions or internal mucosal surfaces such as the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is the best, most reliable testing method, and the best specimens are sourced from rash, fluids or crusts. Antigen and antibody detection are not accurate.

Since 15 June 2022, 2 103 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox, one probable case, and one death have been reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from 42 countries.  Endemic countries include Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DRC, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Sudan. To date all cases have been identified as being infected by the West African Clade.

Cases have been identified in South Africa, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK, and the USA.

Information suggests that this is common among homosexual men and who seek treatment and care at healthcare institutions. Furthermore, those at risk are individuals who have had physical contact with someone with monkeypox.

Monkeypox management and treatment

Any patient with suspected symptoms should be investigated, and if confirmed, isolated until such time that their lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

According to the National Institute Communicable Diseases (NICD), this type of infection does not require specific treatment as the disease does resolve on its own. Currently in South Africa, there is no specific vaccine registered for monkeypox; however, the Varicella Zoster is registered for smallpox.

There are no specific treatments for the Monkeypox infection, but outbreaks can be controlled. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tecovirimat (TPOXX) and brincidofovir (TEMBEXA) for the treatment of smallpox; however, these have not been registered in South Africa.

It is important to note that most human cases of Monkeypox resolve within 2–3 weeks of being infected without side-effects. Also, an infected person is infectious at the start of the rash/lesions through the stage when scabs form. However, when these scabs fall off, the person is no longer contagious.

Source: SAHPRA

Categories : Diseases, Syndromes and ConditionsTags :

80 Cases of Monkeypox Reported in 12 Countries

On By ModernMedia
Close-up of monkeypox lesions on the arm and leg of a female child. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

On Friday, May 20, the World Health Organization has reported that there were 80 cases of monkeypox reported in 12 countries, but has not mentioned which countries those are. However, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases has not reported any cases in South Africa, though there has now been a case reported in Australia.

Update: as of 23 May, the NICD has reported that there are 145 cases in 15 countries, but confirms there are no local cases.

Normally endemic to certain countries where it resides in animal reservoirs, monkeypox is rarely encountered in countries outside those regions. The WHO notes that this is “atypical” for the zoonotic orthopoxvirus, which causes smallpox-like symptoms but with a lower mortality. European public health agencies have so far reported that the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden have seen cases. The first patient in the UK with the virus had returned from a trip to Nigeria, likely catching it there. Cases have been reported in the US and Canada.

The WHO advises that, “As monkeypox spreads through close contact, the response should focus on the people affected and their close contacts. People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes health workers, household members and sexual partners.”

At present, it is unclear why this unusual outbreak is happening now, especially amid the heightened vigilance of the COVID pandemic. One possibility is that some mutation is responsible, though there is little evidence at present to suggest a new variant is responsible.

Another explanation could be that this is simply a matter of the right place and time for the virus. It may also be easier for monkeypox to spread nowadays compared to when there was more widespread use of smallpox vaccine.

Source: BBC News