Monkeypox, or “variole du singe” in French, is an emerging viral infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by infected animals, most often rodents. It belongs to the same family as the human smallpox virus and was first discovered in 1958 in captive monkeys. Human cases were first reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2024, the Central African Republic experienced cases of contamination in certain provinces in April, and in July 2024, the epidemic was declared in the capital, Bangui, by the Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Pierre Somse.
Overview:
According to an information note published by the Ministry of Public Health and Population on July 29, 2024, on its Facebook page, monkeypox manifests through rashes on the body that contain a substance carrying the virus. This substance forms a crust during healing and then falls off. The disease can last 14 days and can be fatal in 10 to 11% of cases, potentially leading to debilitating complications.
Transmission:
Monkeypox is generally transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions of an infected person. It can also spread through contact with contaminated objects, such as clothing or bedding. This highly contagious virus is transmitted from animals to humans, and recently, human-to-human transmission through sexual contact has been observed.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of monkeypox resemble those of smallpox but are generally less severe. They include fever, muscle aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that evolves into vesicular eruptions with an incubation period of 5 to 21 days.
Consequences:
While monkeypox can be serious, most people recover without complications. However, severe cases can occur, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or children. It is important to follow health authorities’ recommendations to protect oneself and stay informed about developments regarding this disease.
Prevention:
In endemic areas (in Africa), the main strategy to prevent monkeypox involves limiting human-wildlife interfaces, thus raising awareness and informing populations about the risk factors for zoonotic transmission (by animals) and reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission.
More generally, to limit human-to-human transmission, prevention strategies rely on information and awareness. Smallpox vaccines used during the smallpox eradication program in the 1970s offer cross-protection against monkeypox. Other more recent vaccines have also been developed, with one approved for the prevention of monkeypox. More details are available on the website of the Institut Pasteur in France.
Conclusion:
Following the declaration of the epidemic in Bangui, particularly in the 6th and 3rd districts, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, by the Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Pierre Somse, those affected have been confined to a health center for treatment. The Ministry of Public Health and Population, along with the WHO office in Bangui, has mobilized through meetings with community leaders to raise awareness about the dangers of this disease. They also urge families not to hesitate to go to the hospital at the first signs; hospitalization and treatment are completely free.
