In the West Texas Region, the Midland Health Department issues a Monkey pox warning.

The health services department is keeping an eye on the rise in Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases both locally and in the West Texas region, according to the City of Midland. Mpox symptoms, how it spreads, and what to do if you have been diagnosed with the illness are all covered in this health alert.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which is a member of the Poxviridae family, which also includes the smallpox virus. Despite being less serious than smallpox, monkeypox has drawn attention because of human outbreaks, especially in countries that are beyond its natural endemic range. Essential Elements: History and Transmission: It was initially discovered in laboratory monkeys in 1958, hence the name. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the first human case was documented in 1970. Natural hosts include primates and rodents (such as squirrels and dormice). Transmission from Humans: direct interaction with bodily fluids or contaminated animals. spread from one to person by contaminated bedding, skin sores, or respiratory droplets. sexual interaction, as seen in epidemics recently.

The symptoms of Mpox usually appear 21 days after viral exposure. People may initially experience flu-like symptoms, which are followed one to four days later by a rash. Get in touch with a healthcare professional if you have symptoms like a rash. Up until the rash has completely healed and a new layer of skin has grown, a person with MPOX can infect others.

Symptoms include: • A rash that will cure after going through multiple phases, including scabs.· At first, the rash may resemble blisters or pimples and may cause pain or itching.A fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, exhaustion, backache, and muscle aches, as well as headaches and respiratory symptoms like coughing, sore throats, and congestionSome people might have some or all of the symptoms.

Transfer of Direct skin-to-skin contact with an MPOX rash or scabs from an infected individual· Contact with saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), and body fluids from an infected person are some of the ways that mpox can spread to others through intimate, close contact.Pregnant individuals who have mpox can infect the fetus during pregnancy or the baby during and after delivery.· By coming into touch with items, materials, and surfaces that have not been cleaned after being used by an mpox patient

How to Respond to Illnesses Consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you suspect that you may have mpox, and let them know about any interactions you may have had with mpox patients.To stop the rash from spreading, it is advised to wear a mask and keep it covered when seeing the doctor for testing.Avoid skin-to-skin contact and sharing items like as clothing, bedding, linens, and food. Keep the rash covered to prevent it from spreading to other people and the environment. Keep your home clean and sanitized to prevent contamination. If you have contact with someone who had been diagnosed with Mpox, please keep an eye out for any symptoms and be tested if they appear.

Worldwide Issues: The risk of zoonotic illnesses crossing borders is highlighted by the spread of monkeypox to non-endemic locations. To control outbreaks, improved surveillance, immunization programs, and public education are essential. The increase in cases of monkeypox has highlighted the significance of global health readiness for emerging infectious diseases, despite the fact that it is not as contagious as the flu or COVID-19.