"Monkeypox" is the largest epidemic in history! Is there a high risk of infection through sexual contact? Don't touch these 2 places
Where did the virus that caused the largest monkeypox outbreak in history come from?
The “monkeypox” epidemic that worries scientists has been confirmed for more than three weeks since the UK. So far, more than 400 cases have appeared in more than 20 countries and regions outside Africa, including Canada, Spain, the UK and other places. The authoritative journal Nature described it as the “largest ever” monkeypox epidemic. Important issues such as the origin of the epidemic, virus genes, infection control and virus transmission methods have also become the focus of attention.
“Nature” reported that genetic sequencing of monkeypox patients in Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, the United States and other places found that the genetic sequence of this pandemic monkeypox virus is quite similar to the monkeypox virus strain originating in West Africa. . The fatality rate of this virus strain is low, less than 1% in rural areas with poor medical care.
The current possible speculation is that people from non-African countries were infected by animals or humans carrying the virus while traveling through Africa, but other explanations cannot be ruled out.
Gustavo Palacios, a professor of virology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, believes the virus may have been spreading silently in humans or animals outside Africa without being detected. However, the lesions caused by monkeypox on the skin are quite obvious and should attract the attention of public health and medical systems in various places.
Genetic mutation of the virus itself? The monkeypox gene is 6 times more than that of the new coronavirus
Is the recent widespread spread of monkeypox related to genetic mutations of the virus itself? Elliot Lefkowitz, a virologist at the University of Alabama in the United States, pointed out in the article that there are still a lot of unsolved mysteries in the monkeypox genome. The number of genes is six times that of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, making analysis more difficult. high.
Another reason why it is difficult to analyze viral genes is that African countries have always had scarce genetic sequencing resources, and now they even face the dilemma of having no viral gene sequences for comparison. Instead, it was this wave of cases that were discovered in various countries around the world, attracting the attention of public health agencies in various countries, and the monkeypox virus entered the world’s attention again.
In addition, in order to understand the evolution of monkeypox virus, virus testing of surrounding animals may also be necessary. Since monkeypox virus can infect rodents such as squirrels and mice, they become the natural animal hosts of the virus and are very likely to be the intermediary source of virus infection in humans.
Can containment vaccination prevent the spread of monkeypox? EU: Watch out for animal reservoirs
Monkeypox epidemics continue to increase in various countries. Will they be effectively controlled? Recently, some countries have increased their purchases of smallpox vaccines as a precautionary measure to prevent future monkeypox outbreaks. However, US CDC data indicates that the smallpox vaccine can prevent infection as long as it is administered within four days of exposure to monkeypox, and there are also clear antiviral treatments.
CDC virologist Andrea McCollum said that a “containment” vaccine strategy will be adopted to deal with the monkeypox epidemic, and vaccinating close contacts around infected people can interrupt the chain of transmission. In addition, vaccination should also be considered for groups at higher risk of infection.
However, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control points out that although human-to-human transmission is prevented, the possibility of monkeypox being transmitted to an animal host and then infecting humans cannot be completely ruled out. EU health officials have also recommended that household pets such as hamsters infected with monkeypox should be supervised or euthanized to avoid the spread of the virus. Because infected animals do not have obvious symptoms like humans, they may become potential sources of transmission.
Can monkeypox virus be transmitted through sexual contact? Are bedsheets and doorknobs at high risk of infection?
The main route of transmission of monkeypox is through contact with infected humans or animals, through contact with body fluids or respiratory droplets. However, there have been many related cases in two “carnival sex parties” in Spain and Belgium. Does this mean that “sexual contact” also carries the risk of infection? is attracting the attention of scientists.
At present, it can only be determined that the monkeypox virus is easily transmitted through close contact. Unlike the new coronavirus, the monkeypox virus can survive outside the body for a longer period of time. Therefore, doorknobs and bedsheets that an infected person has touched may be potentially infectious. medium.
“Nature” stated that health officials have noticed that many cases occur in men’s social circles, but the most likely reason for the virus to be transmitted among men who have sex with men is that the virus was accidentally introduced into this group and continued to spread. result. How to effectively prevent the epidemic of monkeypox still needs more scientific research to find out the answer.
source:
Monkeypox outbreaks: 4 key questions researchers have
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