Monkeypox Outbreak: Symptoms, Transmission, Vaccines & Protection Measures

On Jul 23, 2022, the World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to rising cases in more than 70 countries.

Symptoms and Transmission

Monkeypox was initially identified at a lab in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1958 and has been endemic in African countries for a long time. The US had a small outbreak of monkeypox, mostly in prairie dogs, in 2003, but it has been in only recent weeks that the disease has spread to several European and Western countries, including some Asian countries.

Monkeypox symptoms include:

An image of monkeypox lesions on six different skin tones ranging from light skin to dark skin. — An image of monkeypox lesions on six skin tones ranging from light to dark skin.
Image courtesy of the CDC and UK Health Security Agency

Fever
Body aches
Chills
Fatigue

Severe illness could also include a rash and lesions on the face and hands that could spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms can usually take 5 to 21 days to develop after contact, but they can last for 2 to 4 weeks, with people being contagious throughout this period.

Anyone is at risk of getting infected. The virus primarily spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, especially if they’re exhibiting symptoms. Rashes, bodily fluids, and scabs are particularly infectious, as well as ulcers and lesions. Contact with contaminated objects - such as bedding, clothing, towels, and eating utensils - could also be a source of infection. Respiratory secretions during prolonged contact with an infected person, usually when caring for someone with monkeypox, can also cause spread.

It is currently not clear if asymptomatic people can spread the disease.

The fatality rate for monkeypox is around 0 - 11% in the general population, with children more at risk for severe illness.

If you suspect you have monkeypox, talk to your healthcare provider or visit your local health department’s website for how to get tested.

Vaccines and Treatment

It is important to stress that monkeypox has been studied for decades and is also the cousin of the eradicated smallpox virus. As a result, the smallpox vaccine does provide some protection against this virus (clinical research has shown it is 85% effective at preventing monkeypox). There are two types of smallpox vaccines available - ACAM2000 and JYNNEOS.

ACAM2000 is a live virus vaccine where a lesion will develop at the injection site. The vaccine virus could potentially spread and cause lesions elsewhere in the body or potentially spread to other people. The CDC recommends people who have gotten the ACAM2000 vaccine to take precautions until they are full vaccinated (28 days).

JYNNEOS is a non-replicating virus vaccine administered in two shots. This vaccine has no risk of spreading in the body, causing lesions, or spreading to other people. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose.

At this time, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - an independent advisory committee that advises the CDC on immunization practices - recommends only certain lab personnel and healthcare providers in direct contact with patients who potentially have monkeypox receive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccines. This includes:

Clinical laboratory personnel performing tests to diagnose orthopoxviruses
Research laboratory workers who directly handle cultures or animals contaminated or infected with orthopoxviruses
Certain healthcare personnel and public health response team members designated to be vaccinated for preparedness purposes

Individuals exposed to monkeypox can still get a vaccine to prevent the onset of symptoms. The CDC recommends receiving a vaccine within 4 days of exposure.

Please note that certain individuals, such as people with eczema and immuno-compromised folks, might have a higher risk for severe side effects from vaccination, especially from ACAM2000. Talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine would be better for you.

There is currently no antiviral treatment for monkeypox. Tecovirimat, an antiviral treatment developed for smallpox, may also help with monkeypox, but there is no clear data on this. However, monkeypox usually resolves itself within a few weeks without treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about best practices to manage symptoms.

How to Protect Yourself

Similar to COVID-19 protection strategies, washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer will help kill the virus and prevent it from spreading. It’s also important to not touch your face before washing your hands.

If you live with someone who has monkeypox, encourage them to self-isolate and cover any breaks or lesions in their skin by wearing clothing or other means like bandages. Wear face masks while in close proximity to the infected individual and wear gloves while washing clothing and bedding that has been infected - water and detergent will work when washing items.

The Monkeypox virus is also more susceptible to common disinfectants such as Lysol compared to other viruses and can be used to disinfect and sanitize contaminated surfaces.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the Desifacts team through our Contact Us form or send us a message on WhatsApp at +1 (202) 240-8742.

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