London, Europe Brief News – Some of the world’s major pharmaceutical companies are rubbing their hands together over the sudden outbreak of monkeypox in countries where no cases have been reported for years.
For the vast majority of people, signs and symptoms of monkeypox will resolve on their own, without any treatment. Rest, plenty of fluids and good nutrition are all that are usually required.
The risk of serious illness may be greater in pregnant women, children and those with weaker immune systems.
Currently, there is no specific vaccine available for monkeypox, however, the smallpox vaccine has been shown to offer 85 percent protection against monkeypox.
At the present time, the original (first-generation) smallpox vaccines are no longer available to the general public. Scientific studies are now under way to assess the feasibility and appropriateness of vaccination for the prevention and control of monkeypox.
Some countries have, or are developing, policies to offer vaccines to people who may be at risk such as laboratory personnel, rapid response teams and health workers.
An antiviral agent known as tecovirimat that was developed for smallpox was licensed by the European Medical Association (EMA) for monkeypox in 2022 based on data in animal and human studies. It is not yet widely available.
Understanding how this current outbreak is spreading will be key to breaking the chain of transmission and getting numbers under control. Going forward, our relationship with animals needs to be evaluated.
Zoonotic spread of viruses will continue to cause concern while we encroach on the environments of wild animals, and handle them as part of science, the food and the pet trade.
