The arrival of monkeypox has put the West on alert, especially Spain which, after the outbreak detected in the community of Madrid and in the Canary Islands, has become the European country with the highest number of cases. Despite the increase in the number of cases in recent hours, various epidemiological surveillance agencies have declared that monkeypox is not a threat to the health of the general public, but what is it, how is it transmitted and what are its effects on health?
Dr. Alvaro Flamarique, specialist in Internal Medicine and expert in infectious diseases, explains that monkeypox shares symptoms with the smallpox virus as it is a disease that “belongs to the same family as smallpox and, therefore, has many genetic and clinical similarities”.
According to the specialist, the disease causes fever, headache, chills, generalized weakness, swollen lymph nodes and joint and muscle pain, with an incubation period that can vary from 5 to 21 days.
Health authorities in several countries have already warned of the need to act quickly when detecting any potential case and, above all, to pay attention to the symptoms of the disease. “Between the first and third day, a skin rash appears, starting on the face and extending to the rest of the body including hands and feet. It starts as macules (spots) and evolves into papules, vesicles, pustules and crusts”, warns the specialist.
Monkeypox in humans is not highly contagious.
The causes of the rapid increase in the number of cases are still unknown, but the two main hypotheses being considered are that the cessation of smallpox vaccination and globalization would explain the epidemiological outbreak.
As regards contagion, it has been concluded that the disease is not highly contagious in humans, although its main routes of transmission are through body fluids (mucous membranes, wounds, saliva and sexual fluids).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the number of cases will continue to grow in the coming days, so that every precaution is too little. Experts recommend following some basic hygiene measures such as:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Those planning to travel are also advised to follow the recommendations of local authorities and, for those working in hospitals, clinics or health centers, to use personal protective equipment.