Will Monkeypox Become the New COVID?

As the world slowly recovers from the COVID pandemic and plunges into a war with Russia, scientists and doctors have expressed concern about another virus that may catch many of us pantless — monkeypox.

Patients with monkeypox have already been confirmed in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Sweden, Belgium, the US, Canada, and Australia. Experts are concerned about the uncharacteristic spread of the disease. After all, monkeypox was usually recorded in African countries, with some exceptions, when the disease was brought to other continents by tourists.

But according to the ECDC, the disease, which was discovered in Europe, seems to have spread from person to person. And for the first time, epidemiologists have found no direct link between patients and Africa. The World Health Organization has expressed concern about the outbreak of monkeypox and is holding daily meetings to monitor the rapidly changing situation.

What is monkeypox?

It’s a disease caused by viruses of the poxvirus family, transmitted to humans from animals, most likely from rodents and primates. The disease is transmitted by touch, saliva, blood, and consuming undercooked meat of an infected animal. So it’s not as contagious as COVID, but if you have any strange symptoms, better put on that mask.

Monkeypox is found mainly in remote areas of Central and West Africa, i.e., in regions close to tropical forests. There is no cure or fool-proof vaccine for monkeypox, but doctors say that regular vaccination against regular smallpox reduces the risk of contracting monkeypox.