Many countries of the world are facing monkeypox infection these days. After Africa and Europe, this virus has now started spreading in Asian countries as well. Given the increasing threat of monkeypox, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global health emergency. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has advised all countries to remain cautious about this growing infectious disease. According to studies, monkeypox can cause a highly contagious and life-threatening infection, even a little negligence can lead to the widespread spread of this infection.
According to recent reports, cases of this infectious disease have also been reported in Pakistan-Sweden. India has also become alert after cases of infection were reported in the neighboring country. Given the increasing danger, Union Health Minister JP Nadda held a meeting with senior officials on Saturday and took stock of the situation. It is a matter of relief that no case of monkeypox has been reported in India so far.
The threat of monkeypox is increasing
Health experts say that due to the nature of this virus, there is a high risk of it spreading rapidly. Some reports are saying that monkeypox can be more dangerous than coronavirus. It is important to note here that monkeypox has been the most devastating disease after COVID-19 in the last two years.
Can it be more dangerous than COVID? Let's take a comparative look at both viral infections.
Coronavirus and COVID-19
Studies show that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and the monkeypox virus are very different in many respects. Although both monkeypox and COVID-19 are zoonotic diseases, which means that they spread from animals to humans. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have spread from bats, while monkeypox was first seen in monkeys.
The risk of spreading the infection and its symptoms differentiate the two infectious diseases in many respects.
What do experts say?
Amy Edwards, an infectious disease specialist at US-based University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children, says some important differences make monkeypox less dangerous than COVID-19. First, monkeypox does not spread easily and is easy to identify infected people.
Two vaccines are effective against monkeypox. At the same time, unlike COVID-19, close contact is necessary for this virus to spread from one person to another. Isolating infected individuals and preventing the spread is also easier in the case of monkeypox.
Risk of spread of infectious diseases
Dr. Edwards explains that monkeypox infection occurs through close contact with the affected person. Mpox infection can spread from one person to another through physical contact or direct contact with body fluids or wounds. However, it can also spread through droplets emitted by coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated bed clothes. However, in the case of Covid, the spread is considered to be easier. It does not spread through the air like Covid-19. However, monkeypox infection can be more fatal.
(PC: ISTOCK)
