Be on Alert! Monkeypox Detected as the First Case Reported in the Philippines
The first case of monkeypox since last December has been detected in the Philippines. The patient is a 33-year-old man with no history of international travel. He tested positive for the virus after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared MPOX a global public health emergency.
On August 19, 2024, the Philippine Department of Health announced the detection of a case of “MPOX” (commonly known as monkeypox). The patient is a 33-year-old individual with no history of international travel but had close contact with others in the past three weeks. This brings the total number of monkeypox cases in the Philippines to 10.
Get to Know Monkeypox
Monkeypox, also known as “MPOX,” is a disease caused by the DNA virus Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. This virus was initially transmitted from animals, and humans can contract it from these infected animals. The origin of monkeypox traces back to Central and West Africa before spreading to other regions.
How many strains of the monkeypox virus are there?
Monkeypox can be transmitted from animals to humans in the following ways:
- Transmission from animals to humans: The virus can be transmitted through bites and scratches. It spreads through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, pus, or pustules of infected animals, as well as through skin rashes. It can also be contracted by consuming undercooked meat from infected animals or coming into contact with contaminated food.
- Transmission of the virus: The virus can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva, respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, pus, pustules, or contaminated objects that have been exposed to the virus from an infected individual.
Symptoms of monkeypox infection:
Individuals who contract monkeypox will start showing symptoms within 6 to 13 days, although symptoms can appear up to 21 days (the incubation period). The disease has two distinct phases:
- Virus enters the body: Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Notably, lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes) occurs, which distinguishes it from diseases like chickenpox or smallpox. These initial symptoms can last up to 5 days.
- Rash phase: This occurs within 3 days after fever onset. The rash starts as flat spots and then transforms into clear fluid-filled blisters or pustules. When the pustules burst, they dry out and form scabs. The rash typically appears on the face, arms, legs, palms, and soles, but it can also be found in mucosal areas such as the mouth, eyes, and genital region.
In 2022, Thailand reported cases of monkeypox, and the symptoms of the patients differed from the usual presentation, as follows:
- Fever: It can occur before the rash, during the rash, or after the rash has appeared. In some cases, there may be no fever at all.
- Rash: The rash is often found in various stages simultaneously. Most patients who visit a doctor present with fluid-filled blisters, pustules, or scabs, often accompanied by pain at the site of the rash.
- Number of rashes: In 60% of patients, the rash involves fewer than 10 lesions, often appearing on the genital area or anus. About 10% of patients may not have a rash at all.
- Locations of the rash: The rash is most commonly found in the genital area, followed by the body, arms, legs, and face. It can also appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, or in multiple areas at the same time.
In most cases, the symptoms are not severe. However, severe symptoms can occur, usually due to secondary pneumonia, the spread of the virus to the brain leading to encephalitis, or in some cases, an eye infection that could cause blindness. Approximately 3-6% of those with severe symptoms may die from the disease.
Monkeypox symptoms can be severe and even fatal. The Ministry of Public Health in Thailand must prepare to closely monitor the disease to prevent its spread within the country. If monkeypox enters Thailand, the virus could spread rapidly. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared MPOX a global public health emergency due to the rising number of cases. Therefore, Thailand must take strict measures to prepare for and monitor monkeypox effectively.
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