Advisory for prevention of mpox

Islamabad:District Health Officer Islamabad has issued an advisory for prevention of monkey pox (mpox) urging the general public to adopt emergency preventive measures to control the progression of the disease.

The advisory issued by DHO Islamabad Dr. Muhammad Zaeem Zia states that mpox is characterized by a severe rash and transmitted from animals to humans, and occasionally from human-to-human. Human-to-human transmission of mpox can occur through close contact (talking, breathing, touching) with infected individuals. This can occur through respiratory droplets or contact with skin lesions. The virus can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated clothing or bedding. The virus then enters the body through broken skin and mucosal surfaces or via the respiratory tract.

The risk of transmission can be reduced through basic infection control measures, such as isolation of infected individuals, use of personal protective equipment, and proper hand hygiene, explains the advisory.

The advisory further explains that a suspected mpox case may be ‘an acute illness with fever above 38 degree centigrade, intense head­ache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, myalgia (pain in a muscle or a group of muscles), and intense fatigue followed one to three days later by a progressively developing rash on the face and spreading to the body, palms of hands and soles of feet. The rash starts as a flat sore and develops into a blister filled with liquid, which may be itchy or painful. The rash can appear anywhere on the body and can range from a few to hundreds of lesions. The rash evolves over a period of 2-4 weeks, with lesions progressing from macules to papules, vesicles, and pustules before crusting over and falling off. In some cases, individuals can be infected with mpox without displaying any symptoms, reads the advisory. It is important to note that the clinical features of mpox can overlap with those of other viral diseases, and that laboratory testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis, states the advisory adding that individuals who suspect that they may have mpox should seek medical attention promptly.

Anyone can potentially become infected with mpox if he or she is exposed to the virus. However, certain groups of people may be at increased risk of infection or severe disease. People living or working in areas where Mpox is endemic, hunters and bushmeat (meat from wild animals) consumers, healthcare workers and household members of active cases, immune-compromised individuals (weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy) and travellers to areas where mpox is endemic are at high risk, states the advisory. The incubation period of mpox is usually 6-13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.

The advisory explains that the treatment for mpox is mainly supportive. The illness is usually mild and most of those infected will recover within a few weeks without treatment. Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms and preventing complications. On prevention, the advisory suggests that patients with suspected or confirmed mpox must be isolated to prevent transmission of the virus to others. Healthcare workers caring for patients or handling specimens should wash hands (before/after patient care, touching surroundings), use personal protective equipment, including gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection, when caring for patients with mpox and ensure proper waste disposal and environmental decontamination to reduce the risk of transmission.