Bahrain, on Friday, reported its first case of the monkeypox
virus, involving a 29-year-old ex-pat who recently arrived in the country after
a trip abroad.
The patient is currently receiving medical attention as per
the adopted protocols. He has been placed in isolation. The ministry said that
health officials were taking all the necessary measures to curb the spread of
the monkeypox virus through contact tracing and ‘disease surveillance
mechanisms.’
The Ministry of Health has also put in place a contingency
plan to educate people and health workers about the virus. A reporting
mechanism has also been set up at the Public Health Directorate to contact
tracing plans and vaccinations.
Monkeypox virus typically causes fever, chills, rash, and
lesions on the face or genitals. The virus has symptoms similar to smallpox but
is less severe. Reportedly, most people exposed to the monkeypox virus are
often given one of several smallpox vaccines, which are effective against the
virus. People who have particular skin conditions are at a higher risk.
Sometimes, patients may also suffer due to fever, headache and skin rash.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also declared a global
health emergency in July over the monkeypox outbreak. According to medical
experts, the monkeypox virus has been spreading mainly in men who have sex with
other men.
According to the WHO, monkeypox virus is a viral zoonosis
that is transmitted to humans from animals. However, people can get infected
with the virus through close and direct contact with an infected person.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), monkeypox virus symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the
virus. The virus typically lasts 2-4 weeks. CDC also warned that kids below the
age of 8 are more vulnerable to developing severe illness if infected with the
virus.
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