Recent studies have found the cause of the virus monkey pox or Monkeypox has mutated faster than previously thought.
The rapid mutation has seen the virus infect nearly 3,400 people in dozens of countries since it was first detected in a non-endemic country, England. This is thought to be related to the speed of transmission caused by the mutation.
The results of this study were published in the journal Nature Medicine on June 24 last. The study also found that the virus carried 50 previously undetected mutations in the virus Monkeypox found in 2018-2019.
Reported from Live Sciencemonkeypox is actually a rare disease that virologists say can circulate naturally in monkeys and rodents.
In this study, the researchers collected DNA from 15 samples of the monkeypox virus and reconstructed their genetic information. As a result, researchers found that mutation rates were 6 to 12 times higher than known.
“The massive spike in the mutation rate of the monkeypox virus was much more than expected. Our data reveal additional clues about the virus’ ongoing evolution and potential for human adaptation,” the researchers said.
Historically, Monkeypox transmitted from person to person through close skin contact with open lesions or wounds, body fluids, contaminated materials or airborne respiratory droplets.
However, the speed of this new infection may suggest that something has changed in the mode of transmission. Researchers suspect, these changes are the cause of the rapid spread of monkeypox in a number of countries.
Monkeypox itself is an infectious disease caused by a rare viral infection Monkeypox. The disease is transmitted through close contact or contact with contaminated surfaces and fluids.
Monkeypox causes flu-like symptoms accompanied by rashes or lesions on the skin surface. Rashes and lesions can spread from the hands to all parts of the body.
To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 3,400 cases of monkeypox. Thousands of these cases are spread across 50 non-endemic countries.
(tst/asr)
–
