Monkeypox

I wrote this post a couple of days ago but have been reluctant to post it due to the content. It felt like a strange subject to write my first 'real' blog post about. But then I realised a couple of points - this is my blog, so I write about what I feel like writing about, and that I've been completely upfront about my fascination with infectious diseases. Also, no-one is obliged to read any of my wafflings. So, without further ado

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It was reported yesterday that a UK patient has been diagnosed with monkeypox. The BBC report states

A patient has been diagnosed with the rare viral infection monkeypox in the south west of England.

It is believed the patient contracted the infection while visiting Nigeria, Public Health England (PHE) said.

According to the World Health Organisation, the condition is similar to human smallpox and although it is much milder, it can be fatal.

The patient has been transferred to a specialist infectious disease centre at Guy's and St Thomas' in London.

Well, thinks I, that is interesting. Followed by the realisation that I don't know what monkeypox is, so I did what any self-respecting geek is and started researching.

• Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in remote parts of central and west Africa, near tropical rainforests.


• The monkeypox virus is similar to human smallpox, a disease that has been eradicated in 1980. Although monkeypox is much milder than smallpox, it can be fatal.


• The monkeypox virus is mostly transmitted to people from various wild animals such as rodents and primates, but has limited secondary spread through human-to-human transmission.


• Typically, case fatality in monkeypox outbreaks has been between 1% and 10%, with most deaths occurring in younger age groups.


• There is no specific treatment or vaccine available although prior smallpox vaccination was highly effective in preventing monkeypox as well.

The infection does not spread easily between people and the risk to the general public in England is very low.

This is not the first time the virus has been detected in the UK. The first reported cases in the UK were in September 2018.

I will definitely be keeping my eye on the news surrounding this case, I'm very intrigued by it. I've also found a couple of interesting looking books on Amazon about zoonotic viruses.
Animal Viruses and Humans, a Narrow Divide by Warren Andiman
Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen
Quinn is pointblank refusing to buy me them for Christmas so I'll just have to buy them for myself!