Experts Say Monkeypox Can Be Transmitted Through Hugging, Kissing
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Intimacy sessions such as hugging and kissing can cause transmission of Monkeypox, an expert warns.
Dr Tanimola Akande said monkeypox can be transmitted by close face to face contacts such as hugging and kissing.
Akande, a public health expert also said that the disease can be transmitted through body contact, especially during sex.
The World Health Organisation says the human-to-human transmission of monkeypox is a result of the following:
The WHO said:
“Transmission via droplet respiratory particles usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact, which puts health workers and household members of active cases at greater risk.
“The longest documented chain of transmission in a community was six successive person-to-person infections. Transmission can also occur via the placenta from mother to fetus (congenital monkeypox).”
Akande told HealthWise that the disease is not a sexually transmitted disease, even though there are claims of transmission during sex.
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According to him, this is because the disease is spread by body contact.
His words:
“The spread is by body contact. It can be passed on through body contact during sex.
“It can be transmitted by close face to face contact, hugging, and kissing. All these in addition to body skin contact occurs during sex.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control confirmed 15 cases of the virus.
The confirmed cases are from 46 suspected cases.
NCDC said:
“Since September 2017, Nigeria has continued to report sporadic cases of monkeypox. The Monkeypox National Technical Working Group has been monitoring cases and strengthening preparedness/response capacity.
“A total of 46 suspected cases have been reported between January 1 and April 30, 2022. Of the suspected cases, 15 were confirmed from seven states – Adamawa (3), Lagos (3), Cross River (2), Federal Capital Territory (2), Kano (2), Delta (2), and Imo (1) – but no death has been recorded.”
NCDC reports that a Nigerian who spent 13 days in the country tested positive for monkeypox in the UK.
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The agency revealed that the person arrived in Nigeria on April 20 and left on May 3.
“While in Nigeria, the case did not report being in contact with anyone with symptoms of monkeypox or other illness with rash. The diagnosis of monkeypox (West African clade) was confirmed by PCR in the UK on 6th May 2022. The patient is currently stable and receiving care in the UK,” the NCDC noted.
The agency added that it is investigating the incident in collaboration with the Lagos and Delta State Ministries of Health.
What is Monkeypox?
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention defines Monkeypox as a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
The infection is spread from animals to humans and humans to humans.
Symptoms
Headache.
Body pain.
Fever.
Malaise.
Sore throat.
Fluid-filled body rashes (vesicular rash).
Enlarged lymphadenopathy glands.
The symptoms usually last for two to four weeks.
Source: PUNCH HealthWise
