Learn About Monkeypox and Its Symptoms

On Wednesday, Qatar reported its first case of monkeypox.

According to Qatar's MOPH, monkeypox is a viral virus that typically occurs in the tropical rainforest regions of Central and West Africa and may occasionally spread to other places.

The virus was identified in 1958, and the first human case was reported in 1970 in Africa. This is not, however, the first time the virus has moved outside of the African continent.

Although Monkeypox is caused by the same virus as Smallpox, its symptoms are less severe.

Because the virus spreads through intimate contact, it is fairly readily managed with preventative measures such as self-isolation and basic cleanliness.

“Epidemiological investigations are ongoing, however, reported cases thus far have no established travel links to endemic areas. Based on currently available information, cases have mainly but not exclusively been identified amongst men who have sex with men seeking care in primary care and sexual health clinics,” WHO reported.

“What seems to be happening now is that it has got into the population as a sexual form, as a genital form, and is being spread as are sexually transmitted infections, which has amplified its transmission around the world,” said WHO official David Heymann, an infectious disease specialist.

Monkeypox Symptoms

When infected with monkeypox, the first symptoms generally develop between 5 and 21 days later. The following are the first symptoms, according to the NHS:

• a high temperature

• a headache
• muscle aches
• backache
• swollen glands
• shivering (chills)
• exhaustion

A rash arises 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms and generally begins in the face before spreading to other regions of the body.

The rash begins as raised patches and progresses to little blisters filled with fluid before converting into scabs that fall off.

The symptoms normally go away in a few weeks, but persons with monkeypox can spread it to others.

According to the Associated Press, the WHO stated in late May that it is unlikely that monkeypox will become a pandemic.

The WHO stated on Wednesday that there are already 14,000 monkeypox cases globally, with five deaths recorded in Africa.