The MPOX, or Monkeypox, also called a vario of the monkey, was detected in Guinea. It is a viral infection, accompanied by rashes. Most patients heal in a few weeks, but the disease remains contagious and requires increased vigilance. To better understand this pathology, a reporter from Guineematin.com gave the floor to Dr. Taliby Dos Camara, microbiologist, teacher-researcher. In his intervention, the doctor has given details on his causes, symptoms, transmission methods and prevention measures.
From the outset, Dr Taliby Dos Camara described the symptoms of the variolate of the monkey, which are not always easy to detect. “Symptoms generally appear between 7 and 10 days after exposure of people to the virus of the Simian smallpox. This is characterized by a rash. The rash due to the similar virus can be painful and capable of touching all the parts of the body, mainly the face, mouth, arms, legs, hands and feet as well as anus, rectum and genitals. Here are general symptoms that can accompany the rash such as fever, chills, headaches, exhaustion or weariness, swollen lymph nodes, back, joint and even muscle pain. Sometimes infected people do not notice rashes, but they may however have a sore throat or a rectum pain. People become contagious from the appearance of the first symptoms until the crusts fall on their own and the skin is completely healed, “he said.
To the question of what are the modes of transmission, the specialist is formal. Proximity to an infected person is the main risk factor. “Like several direct transmission diseases, MPOX is mainly transmitted by close contact with an infected person, whether through direct contact with skin lesions, crusts, body fluids (saliva, blood, sperm), or mucous membranes (mouth, anus). MPOX can also be transmitted indirectly through contaminated objects and surfaces such as the floor, bed linen or sick people’s clothes. These are mainly people in close contact with individuals infected during sex. Although viruses have an affinity with skin cells, mucous cells can also be infected. This is what makes sex a risk of transmission of MPOX virus. Also, trips to endemic areas and contact with wild animals also constitute risk factors for contamination, “said the doctor.
If no curative treatment exists for the moment, the management remains possible, thanks to suitable care, he says. “As for most viral diseases, there is no direct treatment. However, like all viral diseases, treatment is first symptomatic (it is necessary to treat the symptoms mentioned above). However, there is a MPOX vaccine, MVA-BN, which can be used both as a preventive and post-exposure to people at risk or travelers in endemic regions. In the event of infection, symptomatic treatment is generally sufficient, but antiviral treatment can be considered in severe forms, “he reassured.
According to Dr. Talibé Dos Camara, vigilance must be in order, especially because of the movements of travelers between countries. “The risk of contamination is always great, especially by travelers. To protect Guinean populations, the health control of all passengers from central African countries, endemic foci of MPOX, must be in order. This is why, the health monitoring service must ensure the protection of populations by its presence, mainly at Ahmed Sékou Touré international airport in G’Bessia in order to control all travelers from for example from DR Congo. So, this service must be activated in order to avoid this other serious disease for us since the stigma of COVID-19 are still present in our country as everywhere in the world. For individual protections, wash your hands regularly with water and soap. Avoid sick people or who have symptoms mentioned a little higher, ”said the specialist.
When the MPOX is already circulating in Guinea, the specialist leaves no doubt. “I answer affirmative. It was following the Declaration of the World Health Organization qualifying the epidemic of MPOX disease as a public health emergency of international scope (USPPI), on August 14, 2024, that the Guinean government, through the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, developed the national plan for preparation and responses to a possible MPOX epidemic by strengthening surveillance throughout the national territory. This work allowed the notification of the detection of a suspicious case of similar disease, on August 30, 2024, in the Republic of Guinea, in particular in the sub-prefecture of Koyama, in the prefecture of Macenta. The sample analyzes carried out by the hemorrhagic fever laboratory in Guéckédou and the Virology Research Center of Conakry, led by Prof. Sanaba Boumbaly, confirmed a positive case of MPOX “.
In addition, Dr. Talibé Dos Camara did not fail to mention the official instructions, addressed to the population. “Simian virus disease, MPOX, is mainly transmitted by close contact with an infected person, an animal with the virus or through contaminated objects. Thus, the Guinean government recommends that the populations respect the following measures:
-Evit all close physical contact with people with MPOX;
-Evit any contact with wild animals found dead or sick;
-Sew to wash your hands regularly with water and soap;
-Es have the closest health structure in the event of the appearance of fever and rashes;
-Appel the Green number 115 in the event of a suspicion of the disease or to receive advice and orientations, “he said.
Mariama Barry for Guineematin.com
