Alert On Monkeypox

The World Health Organisation has declared global emergency of monkeypox amid rising infection of the viral zoonosis. Though this disease is not as infectious and fatal as the coronavirus, the WHO has rightly called for preventive and precautionary measures to curb possible spread going out of control. It is reported that monkeypox has already spread in 75 countries across the world and presumably more countries may come under its infection given the close global interaction and intermingling. So far, more than 16 thousand monkeypox cases have been recorded worldwide and alarm bell has been sounded to take preventive steps before the disease emerges a serious public health crisis. 

Of course, worries are there about this viral disease but medical experts say that monkeypox cannot be compared with COVID-19 in terms of its transmissibility. However, this should not serve to make us any complacent when it comes to staying safe. Public awareness, safety measures and prompt medical response can make a huge difference in this regard. When it comes to the issue of viral transmission, open border with India is a matter of concern for Nepal. We have already experienced that consequent waves of COVID-19 have spread in Nepal from India. In the case of monkeypox too, India factor counts prominently as trans-border movement between the two countries is thick and fast. 

A week ago, we heard that single case of monkeypox was traced in India. Now the cases there have increased to four. Regarding monkeypox, infections happen not in so contagiously viral way like that of coronavirus but it calls for every preventive measure to control it from spreading. The monekypox emergency on the global scale coincides with new emergence of COVID sub-variants that is posing threat of new wave of the pandemic. In this context, border screening and tests are called for to prevent the spread of both coronavirus and monkeypox through the porous border from India to Nepal. Monkeypox has origin in Africa and medical researchers are going on about it. Smallpox vaccines are currently being applied against it. 

No monkeypox cases have been detected in Nepal so far. Four cases are small for a vast country like India but there is always the risk of cases spiraling fast unless effective measures are taken to nip the risk in the bud. One of the symptoms of this viral disease includes rashes in the skin which is similar to other skin diseases. Because of this, many people may go about without suspicion of monkeypox and get tested and treated in time. In the meantime, infected people might come in physical contact with other people and help spread the disease. 

Doctors say that rashes and blisters also occur in genital areas which makes many people hesitant to see the doctor and get an examination. Many people infected with monkeypox get better on their own rather than seeking medical help. Symptoms besides rashes include fever, headache, muscleache and backpain. WHO says that monkeypox is transmitted through close physical contact including sexual intercourse. Shared contaminated items such as clothes, bedding and electronic gadgets can also pass the virus from one person to another.