Mpox facts for kids

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious viral disease. It can occur in humans and some other animals. The illness is usually mild and most of those infected will recover within a few weeks without treatment.

Patients who are at high risk from the disease include children, pregnant women, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised. For these patients, or those who have severe disease, hospital admission and careful monitoring of symptoms is recommended.

Mpox is endemic in central and western Africa.

History

The first human cases were diagnosed in 1970 in Basankusu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then the frequency and severity of outbreaks has significantly increased, possibly as a result of waning immunity since the cessation of routine smallpox vaccination.

The 2022–2023 mpox outbreak represents the first incidence of widespread community transmission outside of Africa. This was initially identified in the United Kingdom in May 2022, with subsequent cases confirmed in 111 countries as of May 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) between 23 July 2022 and 10 May 2023.

Symptoms

Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

The time from exposure to onset of symptoms ranges from five to twenty-one days and symptoms typically last from two to four weeks. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.

Causes

The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, a zoonotic virus in the genus Orthopoxvirus. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with infected skin or body fluids. People remain infectious from the onset of symptoms until all the lesions have scabbed and healed. It may spread from infected animals by handling infected meat or via bites or scratches.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be confirmed by PCR testing a lesion for the virus' DNA.

Prevention

Vaccination is recommended for those at high risk of infection. Evidence shows that the MVA-BN vaccine is 86% effective at reducing the risk of mpox illness. The aim of treatment is to manage the symptoms and prevent complications as there is no specific treatment for the disease. Antiviral drugs such as tecovirimat can be used to treat mpox, although their effectiveness has not been proved.

Treatment

Most cases of mpox present with mild symptoms and there is complete recovery within 2 to 4 weeks. There is no specific treatment for the disease, although antivirals such as tecovirimat have been approved for the treatment of severe mpox. A 2023 Cochrane review found no completed randomised controlled trials studying therapeutics for the treatment of Mpox. The review identified non-randomised controlled trials which evaluated the safety of therapeutics for Mpox, finding no significant risks from tecovirimat and low certainty evidence that suggests brincidofovir may cause mild liver injury. Pain is common and may be severe; supportive care such as pain or fever control may be administered. Patients with mild disease should isolate at home, stay hydrated, eat well, and take steps to maintain their mental health.

See also

In Spanish: Viruela símica para niños