In recent weeks, Monkeypox infections have been detected in many North American and European countries.
In Canada, there have been more than a dozen suspected monkeypox cases which are currently being investigated. Just before that, Spain and Portugal detected over 40 suspected cases. It has also been detected in Britain. the US, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Australia and elsewhere.
While the virus is generally only seen in Central and Western Africa, it now appears to be spreading throughout the West.
The World Health Organisation has said it is monitoring the situation and coordinating with European and American authorities.
But what exactly is monkeypox?
This rare virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus (which also contains the variola virus – which causes smallpox. It was first discovered in 1958 and first infected a human being in 1970. While its symptoms in humans are similar to smallpox, they are significantly milder.
It is generally not very serious, with health authorities emphasising that the risk to the general public remains very low.
The virus can be transmitted by coming into a human, animal or object contaminated with the virus, and can enter through broken skin – even if the break in the skin is not visible. It can also enter the body through the respiratory tract, eyes, nose or mouth.
Animals can transmit the virus via a scratch or a bite, or even by eating a creature which has contracted the disease.
Those infected generally develop a headache, fever, muscle aches and feelings of exhaustion, as well as swollen lymph nodes – much like a common flu.
Shortly after, the patient will generally develop a rash or lesions, beginning on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. They typically end up becoming scabs and falling off after 2 to 4 weeks, at which point the infected person will generally recover.
Although vaccination against smallpox would provide protection against monkeypox, most people under 40 today did not receive the smallpox vaccine and as a result may be more at risk.
While monkeypox rarely results in death, in some parts of Africa it has been known to kill 1 in 10 people who contract it – presumably due to poor healthcare conditions.