About Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a disease caused by a viral zoonotic disease, meaning that it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread between people.
The disease is called monkeypox because it was first identified in colonies of monkeys kept for research in 1958. It was only later detected in humans in 1970.
However, it does not spread easily among people and most people recover within a few weeks.
All age categories can be infected, in most cases, the symptoms of monkeypox go away on their own within a few weeks, but in some individuals, it can lead to medical complications.
Newborns, children and people with underlying immune deficiencies may be at risk of more serious symptoms.
Monkeypox virus is mostly transmitted to people from wild animals through direct contact with blood, body fluids, cutaneous or mucosal lesions of an infected animal or eating insufficiently cooked meat of an infected animal.
You can catch monkeypox through close physical contact with someone who has symptoms. The rash, bodily fluids (such as fluid, pus or blood from skin lesions).
The virus can also spread from someone who is pregnant to the fetus from the placenta, or from an infected parent to child during or after birth through skin-to-skin contact.
■ If you think you have symptoms or have been a close contact of someone with monkeypox:
- In case you experience any symptoms, you can visit the nearest health facility under EHS. (Primary Health Care Centers and Hospitals) or call 8008877 for more information.
- If possible, self-isolate and avoid close contact with others.
- Clean hands regularly and take the steps listed above to protect others from infection.