If you think the threat to your health has passed with over 19 numbers declining in several parts of the world, think again. It's now monkey pox that is troubling the European nations, as well as the United States and Australia, and the viral infection has raised an alarm all across the globe. The map on your screen now shows nearly a dozen countries that have reported confirmed cases.
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It is a viral virus related to smallpox that initially appeared in monkeys maintained for study in the late 1950s. You can get the infection if an infected animal bites you or by touching an infected animal. It is primarily spread by rodents such as rats mice and squirrels. Monkeypox can also be spread through sexual intercourse, according to specialists.
The illness nearly vanished for 40 years after being eliminated by vaccination in the 1980s, only to resurface in Nigeria in 2017. The virus has two primary strains, the first being the Congo strain and the second being the West African strain. As for the symptoms, if you have a fever, muscular aches, and chills, you should seek medical attention.
If you are infected, it may take 6 to 13 days for symptoms to manifest. There is now no particular therapy available for the condition. Due to the unprecedented epidemic, the World Health Organization has called for an emergency meeting of specialists to address the present situation.