March 29, 2024

Monkey pox

  • A team from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague deciphered the structure of the protein methyltransferase from the monkeypox virus.
  • It is with the help of methyltransferase protein that the virus escapes human immunity and causes monkeypox disease.

About Mpox (monkeypox)

  • It is a viral zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.
  • The first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
    • Nigeria witnessed the biggest outbreak of the disease in 2017.
  • There are two known types (clades) of mpox virus — one that originated in Central Africa (Clade I) and one that originated in West Africa (Clade II).
  • Common symptoms are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
  • Transmission:
    • Mostly transmitted to people from wild animals such as rodents and primates.
    • Human-to-human transmission also
    • Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.
  • There are no specific treatments for monkeypox virus infection.
    • Early and supportive care is important to help manage symptoms and avoid further problems.
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