How is monkeypox virus transmitted?

2022 is really a difficult year. The COVID-19 epidemic "caused trouble" before, and then the monkeypox virus was exposed again. Friends all sighed in their hearts that "enough is enough". Fortunately, the monkeypox virus has not been introduced into our country so far, and is more spread in a small area abroad.

But this does not mean that we can completely "lay down". We still need to understand how monkeypox is transmitted and how to prevent monkeypox.

Before understanding how monkeypox is transmitted, let’s talk about the origin of monkeypox virus. Monkeypox was first discovered in monkeys in 1958. It is a virus that affects humans and animals. In 1970, the first case of monkeypox infection was discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, there have been many monkeypox virus outbreaks in West African countries. However, since it has never been found around us, it is not taken seriously by the public.

The main ways of transmission of monkeypox are as follows: "through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, skin or mucous membrane wounds of infected animals; secondary transmission between humans is mainly due to close contact The infected person's respiratory secretions, skin lesions, or items contaminated by the patient's body fluids or diseased tissue (such as clothing, sheets, etc. contaminated by the fluid flowing out after the patient's rash ruptures); transmitted through mother-to-child transmission and sex; monkeypox virus can be transmitted in It exists in respiratory droplets, but it usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact to spread.”

After understanding the main transmission routes of monkeypox, let’s talk about how to prevent monkeypox virus:

01. Get vaccinated against smallpox. According to existing research, the vaccine against smallpox is also very effective against monkeypox virus, with an effectiveness of about 85%, because the two belong to the same virus family. Of course, whether it is necessary to vaccinate depends on the actual situation. In terms of the current environment we are in, I personally feel that there is not much need for vaccination.

02. Household disinfectants can effectively kill the monkeypox virus.

03. Avoid contact with animals or patients that may carry monkeypox virus. This approach can be said to solve the possibility of infection by monkeypox virus from the source. At the same time, I also recommend that everyone pay attention to maintaining personal hygiene in daily life, wash hands frequently (use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soapy water), and change clothes frequently, because this can effectively eliminate germs.

Some people may ask whether monkeypox virus will spread as widely as COVID-19. In my opinion, it is unlikely. The reason why we say this is because the fatality rate of monkeypox virus is relatively high, which prevents the continued spread of monkeypox virus to a certain extent. However, nothing should be taken lightly, and there is nothing wrong with knowing more.

This year will be more difficult for all walks of life, but we must strengthen our confidence and believe that the epidemic haze will eventually dissipate, and we will definitely have flowers in the future.