According to the latest data of the World Health Organization, since May 13, 12 non monkeypox virus endemic countries have reported monkeypox virus infection cases to the who, with 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases. Monkeypox virus is spreading among people. Monkeypox patients are infectious when they have symptoms, usually lasting for 2-4 weeks. It is unclear whether asymptomatic infected people are infectious.
Since both monkeypox and smallpox have "pox" in their names, the human body will produce blisters at the time of onset, and both belong to the genus orthopox virus, many people are worried about whether the further spread of monkeypox virus will bring the risk of large-scale infection.
Will monkeypox virus become the next "smallpox"? Guo Wei, deputy director of the infection department of Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of science and technology, told the science and Technology Daily on May 23 that the monkeypox virus is large and may not cause the next pandemic outbreak, but we should pay attention to it in response. No matter what kind of infectious disease can be effectively dealt with, it still depends on the most classic "three board axe" - to what extent can we control the source of infection, cut off the route of transmission and protect vulnerable people.
Control the source of infection: beware of marmots
"In the United States, there are cases of marmots infected with monkeypox virus. It can be said that rodents are the main source of monkeypox virus." Guo Wei said that the reason why smallpox can be eliminated is not only that the vaccine is effective, but also because human beings are its only host and there are no other host animals. Unlike monkeypox virus, it has a variety of host animals. Therefore, in terms of controlling the source of infection, we should not only consider social transmission, but also be vigilant in contact with rodents.
In terms of the source of infection, Guo Wei said that in addition to preventing the infection caused by contact with people, we also need to prevent the possible infection caused by contact with animals.
"Although monkeypox virus is called monkeypox virus, its intermediate host is not just monkeys." Guo Wei reminded that its name was first found in monkeys, but many rodents carry the virus.
Therefore, those who go to live and return to epidemic areas should still pay attention to their own symptoms, report to health professionals if necessary, and carry out necessary isolation. The reporter learned that relevant units have begun to involve relevant detection kits according to the sequence of monkeypox virus for the discovery and investigation of infectious sources.
Cut off the spread: "have a cup of coffee" is not a big deal
"Novel coronavirus and smallpox virus are transmitted through respiratory tract. The currently reported cases show that monkeypox virus is mostly transmitted through close contact between people." Guo Wei said that this mode of transmission means that "cutting off the route of transmission" is easier to control. It also means that for the general public, avoiding very close contact with infected people can not be invaded by the virus.
In fact, a cup of coffee and dinner are not within the scope of intimate contact. This is related to the mode of infection of the virus. Guo Wei explained that monkeypox virus needs to enter the human blood first and invade cells in the human body through the blood. Therefore, its main mode of transmission is through mucosal contact. Novel coronavirus is different. It can invade cells, multiply, detoxify and then spread by directly binding with specific receptors on respiratory cells. Therefore, it is mainly transmitted through respiratory tract.
The WHO website shows that monkeypox virus may be similar to some sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes and syphilis, which can explain why most cases are detected in sexual health clinics. At present, most monkeypox cases are found in men who have sex with men, but the possibility of community transmission is not ruled out. In addition to sexual behavior, monkeypox virus may be infected through oral ulcers, contact with patients' body fluids, infected clothes, etc.
Immune protection: the effective rate of smallpox vaccine is 85%
Monkeypox virus and smallpox virus belong to the same genus. Clinical research data show that the effective rate of smallpox vaccine against monkeypox virus is 85%.
So, is there no need to study a new monkeypox vaccine? Are people who have been vaccinated against smallpox immune to monkeypox virus?
"New vaccines can still be developed. After all, smallpox vaccine is not specifically developed for monkeypox vaccine. Before monkeypox vaccine is developed, if there is a certain scale of epidemic, start vaccinating smallpox vaccine to produce antibodies, which also plays a certain preventive role against monkeypox virus." Guo Wei said.
"People born in the 1960s and 1970s will have a flower scar as large as broad beans on their arms, which is left by smallpox vaccination." Guo Wei explained that in theory, it is OK to vaccinate once in a lifetime, but with the increase of age and time, the antibody in the human body will also decline. If there is an epidemic, it also needs to be vaccinated. Since the smallpox vaccine was no longer vaccinated in China after the 1980s, people under the age of 40 generally have no immunity to monkeypox virus. If it is prevalent, they still need to be vaccinated.
"Generally speaking, monkeypox virus infection is a self limiting disease. Even if there is no vaccination and no specific antibody in the body, there is a non-specific immune response in the human body, such as macrophages, which can also eliminate monkeypox virus and virus infected cells. Most of them can recover in 2-4 weeks without excessive panic." Guo Wei said.