In 2024, a rapid increase in the monkeypox virus alarmed health care professionals. As in previous years, the monkeypox virus was available in certain countries, and only a few cases were reported now and then. In 2024, WHO announced an health emergency because of the sudden emergence of monkeypox virus cases. It extents to more than 50 countries, including developed (America and North America) and developing (Pakistan, India and Asian) countries. It all happens because of the introduction of a new strain of monkeypox virus that is spreading like fire in the forest.
Prevalence Of The 2024 Monkeypox Virus In Pakistan
Pakistan, like other countries, is not spared by this monkeypox virus variant. The ministry of national health services Regulation and coordination reported its outbreak in June with a continuous increase in patient count. The monkeypox virus is more prevalent in urban countries like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, with a ratio of 12 cases per 100,000 population.
How Will The Pakistani Government Deal With It?
The Pakistani government, in alliance with international health organisations, has launched awareness campaigns and vaccination drives to restrain the spread of the virus. However, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and logistical issues in rural areas continue to hinder these efforts.
Signs And Symptoms Of The 2024 Monkeypox Virus
For early diagnosis and treatment of the 2024 monkey pox virus variant, everyone should have knowledge about its signs and symptoms. Following are the signs and symptoms:
- High-grade fever is usually the first indication.
- Rash typically begins on the face and spreads to every body part, like the palms of hands and soles of feet. It also has many stages, i.e., starting from macules, then papiles, vesicles, pustules, and finally scabs.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin region are also a distinguishing symptom of the monkey pox virus.
- Felling of weakness and fatigue.
Sometimes the infection is atypical, which means different symptoms as per reports by other patients. In the 2024 virus variant, some patients also reported gastrointestinal complications, i.e., nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and respiratory problems, i.e., shortness of breath and cough. Because these symptoms are different from previous strains, they make health care professionals suspicious of the diagnosis of the disease.
Transmission Of The 2024 Monkeypox Virus
1. Human To Human Transmission
It most often occurs when patients come into contact with rash, body fluids, or pus of the infected individual. Sometimes respiratory droplets also become the cause of transmission.
2. Animal To Human Transmission
It is done when infected animals bite or scratch you. In some cases, eating uncooked or raw meat of an infected animal also transmits monkeypox virus to a human being.
Treatment Plan For The 2024 Monkeypox Virus
1. Supportive Care
In monkey pox virus treatment, mostly health care professionals focus on symptomatic response.
- Analgesic: For pain relief.
- Antipyretic: For fever.
- Antiallergy: For rash treatment.
2. Antiviral Medication
- Tecovirimat (TPOXX)
An antiviral medication used for small lox treatment, but its off-label use also claims to treat severe immunocompromised patients of monkeypox virus.
- Cidofovir
It should be used only when tecovirimat is not available.
3. Vaccination
- Post-exposure prophylaxis:
It is basically a small pox virus vaccine that is also effective against monkeypox virus. You should take it within four days of exposure to prevent symptom onset.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis
It is mostly taken by health care professionals who are at high risk of this monkey pox virus.
3. Hospitalisation And Isolation
- In patients suffering from severe symptoms like respiratory distress or secondary bacterial infection, hospitalisation may become necessary.
- We should isolate the infected individual from the healthy ones to avoid transmission of the monkeypox virus. The isolation can be done at home with mild symptoms or at a hospital; a special area should be designated for such patients.
The treatment plan for monkeypox in 2024 involves a combination of symptomatic management, antiviral therapy, and preventive vaccination, tailored to the severity of the infection and the patient’s overall health.
Precautionary Measures to Prevent the Spread of the 2024 Monkeypox Virus
The rising count of monkey pox virus 2024 variant requires early precaution to curb the surge of virus. You can take following measures to prevent it:
1. Personal Hygiene
- Hand-wash: First of all, avoid physical contact with an infected individual, but if it happens, wash your hands or affected body parts with soap and water. Also, hand washing or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser from time to time can also prevent virus transmission.
- Masks: Using masks in crowded places and public gatherings can minimise its transmission through respiratory droplets.
- Gloves and protective clothing: It is necessary for medical professionals to wear proper specialised kit while treating infected individuals.
2. Isolation And Vaccination
Timely isolation of the infected individual will halt its transmission. Also, informing the public about the availability of the vaccine and encouraging them to administer it will also help in controlling the outbreak.
3. Travel Restrictions And Screening
Government must screen the People coming from countries that have higher cases of monkey pox virus at airports before allowing their check-out.
4. Community Awareness And Education
We should use various social media platforms and television advertisements to educate the public about the signs, symptoms and modes of transmission of monkey pox virus, helping in early detection and prevention.
Conclusion
A 2024 variant of monkey pox has emerged as a major health concern, prompting a global and national response to contain its spread. Understanding its spread, recognizing its symptoms, and implementing effective treatments and preventive measures are important steps in combating this outbreak. As the situation continues to change, continued surveillance, research and public support will be critical to preventing the spread of monkeypox and ensuring public safety.
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