There are two types of smallpox: West African Clade, which has a mortality rate of 1%, lower than that of the Central African Clade, which has a 10% mortality rate; rodents and monkeys are endemic animals. contact from animals to humans through exposure to secretions or wounds of sick animals The transmission from person to person will be through very close contact with the patient Direct contact with wounds or patient secretions or clothing used by patients with secretions in which some countries have relaxed measures against COVID more grouping causing more outbreaks in the past 2-3 weeks
The incubation period is 5-21 days. Most illnesses are mild. During the first 5 days, symptoms are fever, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, back pain, muscle pain, and exhaustion. At this stage, the infection has begun to spread. And during the onset of the rash 2-3 days after the fever, the rash starts from the face, body, limbs, as well as soft tissue areas such as the mouth and genitals, starting from small red blisters, clear blisters, pustules. pitted scar Most heal on their own. Some people may have scars. and some severe symptoms especially children with pre-existing health problems may have pneumonia meningitis bloodstream infection Infection of the cornea causing vision loss.
Symptoms of monkey pox
monkey pox It is a difficult disease to diagnose. Symptoms appear approximately 7-14 days after infection with chickenpox-like symptoms. The symptoms are as follows: fever, chills, headache, enlarged lymph nodes. muscle pain and weakness In some cases, there may be a cough or back pain. Approximately 1-3 days after the fever, the patient develops a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
Then the rash turns into pustules. and finally the pustules will be covered with scabs and come off These symptoms will last approximately 2-4 weeks, and most patients will recover on their own. But in the case of people with low immunity or congenital disease Serious complications such as pneumonia or death may occur.
vaccination for disease monkey pox
Although the smallpox vaccine can help reduce the risk of contracting the disease. But injections should only be done in people who work at risk or are in close contact with infected people or animals. And the vaccine can still be given up to 14 days after exposure. If you have symptoms of illness, seek immediate medical attention. and quarantine to prevent the patient from spreading the infection
Dr. Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, revealed that the smallpox vaccine can preventmonkey poxup to 85%, but due to smallpox people It has been eradicated since 1980, so it’s been more than 40 years since this type of vaccination. But vaccines are still being produced to prevent its use as a biological weapon and to protect it.monkey pox
The United States has two vaccines for smallpox, a live attenuated vaccine: Bavarian Nordic’s Imvamune (Imvanex or Jynneos) and Acambis’ ACAM2000 vaccine, approved by the Commission. food and medicine from the United States or the FDA
How to prevent smallpox
As a precautionary measure, avoid contact with sick animals, especially monkeys and rats. Avoid direct contact with sick people and their belongings. including the patient’s breath Always wash your hands with soap. or cleaning gel every time after touching animals or touching public objects Use a cloth to cover your nose and mouth. when going to places where there is a risk of epidemic If a patient is found, isolate the infected patient from others. vaccination against smallpox
Caution: monkey pox
1. Avoid contact with sick animals. vector animals, especially monkeys and rodents
2. Wash your hands regularly with soap. or alcohol gel often especially after touching animals or public items
3. Avoid contact with secretions, wounds, blood, and lymph of animals.
3. Wear a mask when traveling to places that are at risk of spreading
4. Avoid contact with secretions, wounds, pustules or clear blisters. from those with a history of risk or suspected to be infected In the case of being exposed to the infection Preventive vaccination should be done if it is not more than 14 days.
(Refer to this section from Dr. Worachat Reslee, a physician specializing in infectious diseases Sikarin Hospital, Samut Prakan)
5 medical professional organizations Issue clarifications on all issues “smallpox monkey”
1. This disease is caused by a rodent virus that is native to Africa. and spread to other animals The first reported infection was in monkeys kept as laboratory animals, hence the term smallpox or monkey pox. not a source of disease And there have been no reports of this infection in rodents in Thailand.
2. Past Reported Infections Usually occurs in pets or people who are in close contact with rodents. But the outbreak now The exact origin is still unknown. It is thought to be linked to wildlife in some way. It remains to be investigated for a considerable period of time before it can be identified as the cause of the outbreak.
3. Transmission from the patient may start with a fever and is most infectious to others during the time of blistering which is different from COVID-19 that can spread even if the infected person has no symptoms Therefore, it is easier to avoid exposure to the disease.
4. The epidemic in countries has not yet spread to the point that the entry of people from that country is prohibited. have a headache muscle pain It is recommended to go for a diagnosis as soon as possible. Especially those who have a rash and clear blisters on the limbs and face after 2-3 days of fever.
5. If there is an infection Most will heal on their own without leaving any traces on the body if there is no secondary infection. people with low immunity May have severe symptoms According to the World Health Organization, the disease has a mortality rate of about 3.6%.
6. Avoid being in close contact with travelers who have the symptoms listed in Section 4 and are from a reported country.
7. Wearing a mask when in close contact with the patient and washing hands after touching the patient It is a good way to reduce the chance of infection.
8. Avoid bringing wild animals to feed or consume. because it may bring new pathogens, including smallpox, to infect and spread
9. Smallpox Vaccine It will prevent chickenpox as well. But since Thailand has stopped vaccinating against smallpox almost 50 years ago, people over 50 years old should be immune to the disease from smallpox vaccination. But younger people are not immune. But there is a small chance that this disease will spread to Thailand. Therefore, there is no need for the general public to rush to find this vaccine.
Open the definition of patients who are eligible for investigation for smallpox or “monkey pox”
Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health Open the definition of patients who meet the criteria for investigation. “Chickenpox” or “small pox” (Patient Under Investigation) for the international infectious disease control checkpoint as follows:
1. A fever of 38 degrees Celsius or a history of fever with one symptom, namely sore throat, headache, muscle pain, back pain, and enlarged lymph nodes.
2. A rash spreading along the body It looks like a raised blister, clear water blister, pustular blister or scab blister.
3. Traveling from or living in Countries with reports of smallpox outbreaks in the country within 21 days
Furthermore, “monkeypox” is caused by the same virus as the smallpox pathogen, orthopoxvirus. have similar symptoms rodent a source of disease contact from animals to humans through direct contact with the blood, lymph, or rashes of an infected animal and contact from person to person through direct contact with secretions from coughing, sneezing, rashes, or contaminated items common symptoms Most of the people infected with the virus have mild symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are similar to chickenpox and resolve on their own within a few weeks. There is currently no specific treatment.
The US-CDC recommends controlling the disease with the use of smallpox drugs Tecovirimat (ST-246), cidofovir, and brincidofovir. Including the provision of ready-made immune boosting antibodies called Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) for the treatment of people with adverse reactions after smallpox vaccination. or severe cases of chickenpox The drug is still in the process of evaluating its efficacy.
On the side of Dr. Chakrarat Pittayawong Anon Director of the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, mentioned the situation of chickenpox (Monkeypox) that is a disease that has spread in African countries for many years, but during the past 2-3 weeks. began to find patients in European countries It is linked to a trip to Africa. and has spread in some countries There are currently 257 cases reported in Europe in 18 countries. The countries where new cases have been reported are Denmark, Morocco and Argentina. According to the epidemiological data as reported, there were 122 males, 1 female, 61 persons of working age 20-59 years old, 57 reported symptoms, 98 per cent rash/pustule, 39 per cent fever, enlarged lymph nodes 26. % and 2% cough with the appearance of a rash Anal ulcers 75%, purulent blisters 9%, pustules/pustules 2%, mostly soft tissues, eg genitalia 39%, mouth 30%, and anus 2%. West African species detected in 9 cases.
For Thailand, there is a preparation for surveillance. by the Public Health Emergency Operations Center In case of smallpox, the Department of Disease Control, which the academic committee under the National Communicable Disease Committee It was approved to classify smallpox as a communicable disease that must be monitored. because there are no patients in the country The spread of the disease is characterized by a very close proximity to a specific group and has not spread across many continents. Mortality rates are also less severely ill species. It will monitor travelers entering the country with a fever over 38 degrees Celsius, along with at least one illness, namely sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, enlarged lymph nodes. or a blistering rash along with a history of traveling or living in a country with reported outbreaks have a history of participating in activities in which cases have been identified or confirmed And has a history of close contact with wildlife such as rodents, monkeys, mammals imported from Africa. Dermatology Clinic sexually transmitted disease In addition, preparations for laboratory testing, disease investigation teams, and medical supplies and equipment have been prepared.
Data source / picture Department of Medical Sciences / Bangkok / Department of Disease Control