Monkeypox: Symptoms and Treatment

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a highly-viral and infectious disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus (also known as MPV). Did you know that Monkeypox was first discovered in monkeys in 1958? In today’s pandemic context, rodents are thought to be the main animal host. This disease has been endemic in many parts of Africa, particularly in Central Africa and West Africa.

How Does Monkeypox Spread?

Monkeypox is spread between humans through exposure to respiratory droplets or direct physical contact with the blood, body fluid or lesion material from infected individuals or contaminated materials.

The risk is higher for young children aged 12 and below, pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals.

What is the situation of Monkeypox in Singapore?

With the easing of the COVID-19 travel restrictions; and with borders reopening up, the likelihood of an imported case in Singapore remains highly possible. As of July 2022, Singapore has reported a total of 11 monkeypox infections. Contact tracing for all monkeypox patients are ongoing.

Of the 11 monkeypox cases here in Singapore, 6 of them are local, and 5 of them are imported cases. So far these 11 cases are not linked to each other.

How is the Monkeypox virus spreading globally?

Since May 2022, there are already several monkeypox cases identified across multiple countries in Europe and North America. A majority of these cases do not have direct travel links to endemic areas in Africa. These cases indicate community spreading of the virus for a prolonged period of time outside the endemic areas.

On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organisation declared monkeypox a global health emergency. This is an important call as it meant a new urgency for a disease previously only confined to western and central Africa.

Click on this link to read the latest WHO update on the monkeypox situation globally.

What are some symptoms of Monkeypox?

Early symptoms include:

• Headaches &/or muscle aches
• Backache
• Fever/Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Feeling lethargic

Treatment for Monkeypox

Treatment for monkeypox is usually symptomatic. There are currently no proven treatments or vaccines for monkeypox infection. Having said that, vaccines and antiviral medications are currently being studied and developed.

Symptoms usually resolve within a 2-3 week window for most of the infected individuals.

Is Monkeypox fatal?

Monkeypox has a current fatality rate of between 3-6%. This disease is a painful disease that can and does lead to severe illness and death. The fatality of monkeypox increases especially in poor places with inadequate health care.