Until earlier this year, most people outside of Africa and the public health community hadn’t even heard of monkeypox. Africa has been dealing with outbreaks of monkeypox since the 1970s. It has now become a household word, as an outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Here’s what you need to know about the monkeypox virus:

Monkeypox is a pox virus, meaning that it generally causes pimple- or blister-like lesions and flu-like symptoms such as fever. Other symptoms include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, swollen glands, shivering, exhaustion and joint pain. While the disease is rarely fatal, many of those infected have reported severe pain that sometimes requires hospitalisation to manage.

Though the outbreak has overwhelmingly affected gay and bisexual men, it is crucial to remember that anyone can get infected. “Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus,” warned WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Transmission of the virus happens in close proximity by contact with body fluids, lesions, respiratory droplets or contaminated materials such as bedding or clothes. The majority of cases, more than 95% are among men who have sex with men. About 40% of reported monkeypox cases are among people who are also living with HIV.

There is currently no cure, but unlike during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is already a vaccine to protect people from monkeypox, both before and after exposure to the virus. However, supplies are limited and health authorities must first prioritise high-risk groups. Given the act that rashes are seen in many other diseases such as measles and chickenpox, the WHO recommends a diagnosis - this requires a PCR test.

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