Monkeypox

Aug. 21, 2024

In response to the recent monkeypox outbreak, the Delhi government has directed three of its hospitals to establish isolation rooms for managing suspected and confirmed cases of the disease.

About the Monkeypox:

Mpox is a rare zoonotic viral disease caused by the Orthopoxvirus genus, related to smallpox.
First identified in monkeys in 1958, the disease is named after them.

Structure:

Virus composition: The Mpox virus features distinctive surface tubules and a dumbbell-shaped core.
Genetic makeup: It is an enveloped virus with a double-stranded DNA genome, classified under the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family.

Variants of the Mpox Virus:

Clade classification: The Mpox virus is categorized into two main types: Clade I and Clade II.
- Clade I: Known for a higher fatality rate of approximately 10%.
- Clade II (specifically Clade IIb): Responsible for the 2022-2023 outbreak, this variant is rarely fatal.
  - Survival rate: Over 99% of individuals infected with Clade IIb are likely to survive.
  - At-risk populations: Those with severely weakened immune systems and young children are at higher risk of serious illness or death.
- Symptoms: Symptoms include fever, body aches, and rash. The disease is typically self-limiting, but complications like pneumonia and eye issues can occur. It can be fatal, particularly in children and immunocompromised individuals.
- Transmission: Transmission occurs through direct contact with an infected animal's bodily fluids or lesions, or prolonged face-to-face contact with an infected person.
- Treatment: No specific treatment exists, but the smallpox vaccine (Vaccinia) shows 85% efficacy in preventing mpox.
- Current concerns:
  - Clade Ib transmission: The spread of clade Ib, primarily through sexual contact, is alarming. This clade was previously not known for sexual transmission.
  - Global spread: Over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths have been reported in 2024. Clade Ib's spread in non-endemic regions, like Sweden, raises concerns about further global transmission.
  - Risk to India: India reported 27 cases and one death in 2022, with initial cases linked to international travel. The risk remains due to global travel and the new clade's transmissibility.