COVID-19 Daily Update 11-1-2022 West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
COVID-19 Daily Update 11-2-2022 West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Human monkeypox virus, a double-stranded DNA virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family with two genetic clades identified as West African and Central African [1]. First detected in 1958 when there was an outbreak of a vesicular disease among monkeys held in captivity being transported from Africa to Copenhagen, Denmark for research. The first case of monkeypox in humans was seen in a 9-year-old child belonging to the rural area of Zaire in August 1970, having smallpox-like vesicular lesions on the skin [1]. There have been reports of imported sporadic cases in Singapore, the UK, and the US from 2018 until recently in 2022, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic [2], an outbreak of monkeypox cases in the UK, other European and non-European countries was reported with confirmed cases of 2677 up to June 21, 2022 [3].
It is still not understood how the virus is transmitted to humans. It is assumed that the primary source of infection transmission is from animals to humans by handling monkeypox-infected animals. Secondary human-human transmission occurs through large respiratory droplets, contact with bodily fluids, lesions, and polluted surfaces such as clothing or linens [1,4]. Currently, many cases in the ongoing outbreak have been traced to sexual transmission, particularly among men who identify as gay or bisexual [5]. Initial symptoms begin with fever, headache, fatigue, and lymphadenopathy. Mucosal lesions in the mouth followed by lesions of skin on the face and extremities develop after 12 days. The lesions may vary in number from a small amount to thousands and may or may not spread to other parts of the body [6]. However, monkeypox cases reported in the current ongoing outbreak are atypical in nature with the characteristic rash developing in the genital and perianal areas with or without spreading to other body parts [7].
Even though, there is no specific treatment for monkeypox, the smallpox antivirals such as cidofovir, brincidofovir, and tecovirimat show activity against monkeypox with the latter two drugs having US FDA approval for use in treating smallpox. Most likely these medications would be reserved for treating severe cases or immunocompromised individuals and can be obtained through a public health department or the CDC [8]. The smallpox vaccines are believed to be effective in preventing monkeypox and as postexposure prophylaxis. JYNNEOS, which is a new generation smallpox vaccine, has an FDA indication for preventing monkeypox, and the older generation ACAM2000 used off-label can be used as well. Immediate post-exposure administration of the prophylactic vaccine can avoid infection or significantly reduce it. Alternative postexposure prophylaxis is vaccinia immune globulin in cases where the smallpox vaccine is contraindicated [8]. JYNNEOS vaccine can be administered in two doses, 28 days apart [9], and ACAM2000, which is a replication-competent live vaccinia virus vaccine can be administered as a single dose [10].
In conclusion, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox poses a great threat and has the potential to become a pandemic but with proper preventive strategies, the chances of containment of this disease increase to a great extent. Monkeypox, like most other viral infections, has symptomatic treatment. Educating patients and healthcare workers in areas where this disease is endemic is of utmost importance. People with knowledge about monkeypox can practice social distancing and other preventive strategies such as wearing a mask, washing hands regularly, and practicing safe sex. Healthcare workers with adequate knowledge about this disease can devise treatment plans and diagnostic strategies to help curb this virus among the masses. The infected individual must remain in isolation, wear a surgical mask, and keep the lesions covered as much as reasonably possible until all lesion crusts have naturally fallen off and a new skin layer has formed. Hospitals in endemic areas must acquire vaccines and medicines in time and make them available to the o masses. Government should encourage people to get vaccinated and educate and aware the general population about this through numerous social media platforms including TV, social media platforms, and messages on mobile phones. In areas where access to these things is lesser, mass campaigns need to be organized and people need to be taught in simple language, easy to understand.
Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans.
There are lots of different strains of bird flu virus. Most of them don't infect humans. But there are 4 strains that have caused concern in recent years:
Although H5N1, H7N9 and H5N6 don't infect people easily and aren't usually spread from human to human, several people have been infected around the world, leading to a number of deaths.
In February 2021 H5N8 was found to have infected a small number of people for the first time, in Russia.
Plans are in place to manage any suspected cases of bird flu in the UK.
H5N8 and H5N1 bird flu have been found in some poultry, other captive birds and wild birds in the UK.
H5N6 has also been found in some wild birds in the UK, but this is a different strain to the H5N6 virus that has infected some people in China.
You can read the latest bird flu updates on GOV.UK.
Bird flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird (dead or alive).
This includes:
Markets where live birds are sold can also be a source of bird flu. Avoid visiting these markets if you're travelling to countries that have had an outbreak of bird flu. You can check health advice for the country you're visiting on the TravelHealthPro website.
You can't catch bird flu through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak of bird flu.
If you're visiting a foreign country that's had an outbreak you should:
What not to do:
The seasonal flu vaccine doesn't protect against bird flu.
The main symptoms of bird flu can appear very quickly and include:
Other early symptoms may include:
It usually takes 3 to 5 days for the first symptoms to appear after you've been infected.
Within days of symptoms appearing, it's possible to develop more severe complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Getting treatment quickly, using antiviral medicine, may prevent complications and reduce the risk of developing severe illness.
Call a GP or NHS 111 if you experience any symptoms of bird flu and have visited an area affected by bird flu in the past 10 days.
Your symptoms can be checked over the phone.
Get medical help straight away if you get the symptoms of bird flu.
Contact your travel insurance company if you need advice about where to get help.
Tell the doctor if you have:
These tests can be done to confirm bird flu:
If the tests are normal, it's unlikely you have bird flu.
If it's thought you might have symptoms of bird flu you'll be advised to stay at home, or you'll be cared for in hospital in isolation from other patients.
You may be given an antiviral medicine such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
Antiviral medicines help reduce the severity of the condition, prevent complications and improve the chances of survival.
They are also sometimes given to people who have been in close contact with infected birds, or those who have had contact with infected people, for example family or healthcare staff.
Bird flu is a notifiable disease in animals, so you should report any suspected case in animals to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), even if you're not sure.
Call the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) helpline on 03459 33 55 77 if you find dead wild birds.
To prevent infection it is important not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.
Read more about notifiable diseases in animals from GOV.UK.
Read more about how to spot bird flu and what to do if you suspect it from GOV.UK.
Page last reviewed: 06 January 2022Next review due: 03 August 2024
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