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The History of Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare, infectious viral disease that was until recently limited to rain forests in central and West African countries. The disease made its way to the United States in 2003 when residents became infected after contact with sick pet prairie dogs. As a result, the federal government enacted measures restricting importation of prairie dogs and other animals that can carry the viral disease.

  1. History

    • Humans first noticed monkeypox in 1958 when lab monkeys fell ill with the disease. Scientists later discovered the virus in several other animals in Africa, including African rodents, some primate species, hares and rabbits. The African rodent is considered to be the natural host of the virus. The disease is not lethal to the animal.

    Transmission

    • Humans get monkeypox from bites or close contact with the body fluids, blood or lesions of infected animals. Respiratory droplets carry the disease when there is direct and face-face contact between humans and ill animals. Human-to-human transmission is also possible but there have been no reported instances of that type of case.

    Outbreaks

    • The most recent large-scale outbreak in Africa occurred in 1996 and lasted for a year. Researchers identified 71 cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Scientists were unable to complete the study due to civil unrest in the area.

    Spread

    • Before 2003, there were no reported cases of monkeypox outside of the United States. However, in May 2003, several cases emerged. Prairie dogs contracted the disease from African rodents that arrived in the United States via an animal distributer's shipment of 800 small animals from Ghana. The Centers for Disease Control tested the animals and found the disease. In July 2003, there were 35 human cases of the disease in the United States. There were no fatalities reported.

    Symptoms

    • Monkeypox is similar to smallpox but generally milder. Infected individuals first experience a fever followed by muscle aches, exhaustion, headaches and backaches. Unlike smallpox, patients also experience swollen lymph nodes. After one to three days, patients develop rashes of raised bumps that turn into lesions before drying up and falling off of the skin. The disease lasts a total of two to four weeks.

    Prevention

    • While there is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, the smallpox vaccine seems to help some patients according to the CDC. The organization recommends the vaccine for caretakers of those with monkeypox.

    Legislation

    • After the 2003 outbreak, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended regulations and enacted new restrictions on the importation, transport, distribution and release of prairie dogs, African rodents and similar animals. The rules went into effect Nov. 4, 2003.

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