What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a virus first found in monkeys in the 1950s that is transmissible to humans. In May, the World Health Organization reported outbreaks of the virus in several countries. Dr. Leanne Skehan, a clinical faculty member in Southern New Hampshire University's master's in public health program, answered questions about what the virus is, how it is contracted and whether experts are worried about the spread of the disease.

First, what exactly is monkeypox and why has it become a concern to public health officials recently?

Monkeypox (MP) was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys and the first human case occurred in 1970. MP is a naturally occurring virus from Africa and due to international travel, we are seeing cases pop up in other countries where the virus is considered to be rare. MP is a zoonotic virus, meaning it is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans. According to the CDC, there have been some recent cases seen in the United States (and in some European countries) with most of the cases tracing back to people who have traveled to Nigeria and then return to their home country.

Is monkeypox related to smallpox – how so and how does it differ?

The monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus which also includes the variola virus (which causes smallpox), the vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and the cowpox virus.

How does someone contract monkeypox? Are there things we can do to protect ourselves and are there symptoms we should look out for?

A person can contract monkeypox by coming into contact with an infected animal or person, or by coming into contact with objects that have been contaminated with the virus. MP gets into the body through a break in the skin, the respiratory system, or through the eyes, nose, and mouth.

There are many ways people can protect themselves from contracting MP including:

• Avoiding contact with animals that could have the virus
• Avoiding contact with any materials (i.e. bedding) that has been in contact with a sick animal
• Isolating infected people from other people to avoid transmission
• Practicing good hand hygiene after coming into contact with MP infected animals or humans
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients with the virus

Symptoms generally begin with developing a fever, headache, muscle and/or back ache, swollen glands, chills, and with being tired. Typically, within 1-3 days, after the fever develops, the infected person develops a rash that starts on the face and spreads to other body parts. MP typically lasts for 2-4 weeks.

Is the infection treatable? How so?

There is currently no virus specific treatment for monkeypox. Antivirals, used with people who had smallpox, can be used in people with MP and has been shown to be effective. People who develop MP generally have a good prognosis and will recover without any lasting effects. However, the outcomes of having MP depends on, in part, previous vaccination status, initial health status, whether a person has concurrent illnesses, and comorbidities.

Does the possibility monkeypox outbreak raise the same level of concern as the recent Covid-19 pandemic? Why or why not?

According to the CDC, monkeypox does not spread easily through the air like with Covid-19. MP requires close contact with an infected person or animal. With MP, a person needs to have sustained contact (i.e. skin-to-skin) with an infected person. While MP can spread through respiratory droplets, is does not do so as easily as the Coronavirus.

Dr. Leanne Skehan is a nutrition and public health expert with more than 20 years working at non-profit and for-profit health organizations. She is skilled in policy creation and implementation, program management, community engagement and more. She earned her doctorate in clinical nutrition from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2020. Dr. Skehan has worked for SNHU since 2015.

Media members interested in interviewing him should contact media@snhu.edu.

Sources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-to-know-about-monkeypox-and-the-latest-cases