On Monday, Jordan confirmed its first case of monkeypox in a non-Jordanian resident living in the country, according to Dr. Raed Shboul, Secretary-General of Epidemiological Affairs at the Ministry of Health.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that is transmitted from animals to humans and is similar to traditional smallpox, though less severe.

The virus was first identified in 1958 among a group of monkeys used for research, hence the name. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Read more: Jordan confirms first monkeypox case

How Monkeypox Spreads

• Animal-to-Human Transmission: The virus can be transmitted from wild animals, such as rodents and primates (like monkeys), to humans through direct contact.
• Human-to-Human Transmission: The virus can spread from person to person through direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or contaminated materials.
• Airborne Transmission: In some cases, monkeypox can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, particularly in confined spaces.

Symptoms of Monkeypox
Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that resembles smallpox. The rash typically starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, forming fluid-filled blisters before scabbing over and falling off.

Symptoms usually appear within 5 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. While monkeypox is less contagious and less severe than traditional smallpox, it can be dangerous in certain cases, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems.

Treatment and Prevention

• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but medical care focuses on relieving symptoms. Most mild cases recover on their own.
• Prevention: Preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected animals and people, maintaining good personal hygiene, and, in some cases, the smallpox vaccine may offer partial protection against monkeypox.