|
Monkeypox |
 |
| Monkeypox
is a viral disease with a clinical presentation in humans similar to
smallpox. The monkeypox virus is a DNA virus related to smallpox virus,
both belong to the genus of Orthopoxvirus of the Poxviridae family. |
| Transmission
Channel |
|
Monkeypox is usually
transmitted to humans fro squirrels and primates through contact with the
animal’s blood or through a bite.
Person to
person transmission can occur although considered not efficient. It can be
spread by close contact and through respiratory droplets and aerosols. |
| Incubation
Period |
| The
incubation period is normally between 10 to 14 days. During this period,
the patient is not contagious. |
| Clinical
Features |
| The
illness begins with fever, headache, myalgia, malaise and pronounced lymph
nodes enlargement. About 1 to 3 days after the onset of fever, popular
rash will occur on the face and spread to other parts of the body. The
rashes progress through pustular and crusting stages. The illness
typically lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. |
| Treatment
Measures |
| There
is no specific treatment for monkeypox. Antiviral drugs are being
evaluated. |
| Prevention
and Control |
|
Smallpox vaccine has been
reported to provide cross protection to monkeypox among previously
vaccinated persons.
The sick animals should be
isolated from humans and other animals. Pet owners should handle with
gloves, a mask and consult veterinarians. |
|
猴天花 |
| 猴天花是一種過濾性病毒，由正痘病毒(orthopoxvirus)所引發的，臨床病症與天花類似。 |
| 傳播途徑 |
| 感染途徑大多透過接觸感染動物如松鼠及靈長類。人與人間傳染機會不大。但病毒亦可透過近距離接觸或從患者呼吸分泌物等感染。 |
| 潛伏期 |
| 一般潛伏期為十至十四天。但在潛伏期間，病人是不會將此病毒傳染他人。 |
| 病徵 |
| 特徵為發熱、頭痛、肌痛、身體不適及淋巴腫脹等。當持續地發熱約一至三日，紅疹便會出現於面上以至全身。當發膿及結痂過後，患部會便可於二至四星期內復原。 |
| 治療 |
| 到目前為此，暫未有療效針對猴天花病毒的。現時嘗試採用抗病毒的藥物治療。 |
| 預防的途徑 |
| 接種天花疫苗或可避免感染猴天花。另外，巿民應避免接觸生病的動物。照顧生病的動物時應戴上手套及口罩，或獸醫請教。 |