I REMEMBER seeing short news reports on the television and on social media in 2019 and early 2020 about the COVID-19 virus. I’m now noticing a similar trend with the Monkeypox virus, and I couldn’t help but pen my thoughts on this. Truth is, in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic most of us (myself included) did not take it as seriously as we should. Many Guyanese did not take the necessary precautions until the rapid increase of cases of, and deaths from, the COVID-19 virus. I decided to dedicate this week’s section to an informational piece on the Monkeypox Virus alongside precautions that one can take to stay clear of it.

According to the World Health Organization, Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal or with material contaminated with the virus. This virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. The most common symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headache, back pain, low energy, muscle aches and visibly swollen lymph nodes. The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from six to 13 days but can range from five to 21 days. The most severe cases usually occur amongst children, and while the fatality rate of the disease is 0-11 percent—you can develop other complications due to the effect of said virus, such as secondary infections.

Hand hygiene should be practised at all times. Be sure to wash your hands or use 70% or more alcohol hand sanitisers to clean your hands. You can also try to wear clothing that covers exposed parts of your body that are likely to be in contact with any fluids from any skin cuts/blisters from an infected individual. These bodily fluids infect others with the virus, so be very careful and cautious about close contact with others, especially if you notice they have any of the symptoms listed. You should also avoid putting your hands or fingers in your eyes, mouth, ears or nose as these are vulnerable entry points for the virus. Even if there wasn’t monkeypox or COVID-19, hygiene and sanitisation will always be a necessity in everyday life.

As I mentioned in many of my COVID-19 related pieces—the eradication of a global pandemic starts with us. I would hate to see the world go into total lockdown yet again anytime soon because of the Monkeypox virus or any other deadly virus or disease. No matter if restrictions are relaxed and things may seem good—there are so many things happening in our environment daily that we need to be alert about. Many deadly airborne diseases are still on the rise. Our air is still polluted, so many diseases can even mutate themselves to form new deadly ones. We ought to be mindful. A simple routine of sanitising your hands after any interaction can save your life.