Mpox: The New COVID-19?
- Martha
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
Has a new Possible Pandemic Arisen?
By: Martha, Year 10
Imagine having grotesque lumps scattered across your body. Imagine being burdened with mountain-sized rashes, breaking out everywhere. Imagine the pain of swollen lymph nodes-aching your nerves incessantly. Well, that is the reality for a myriad of people today. This past year, over eighteen thousand individuals in Africa alone have been infected with this vicious virus; and more and more people will be too as the hours pass by. With deadlier, mutated strains having more severe symptoms and an increased likelihood of fatality, you really do not want to get it!
The science behind this is simple. As you can probably guess by its name, monkeypox (now referred to as mpox) is a zoonotic disease which spreads from animal to human then human to human via physical contact, and it is not pretty. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, malaise, of course bumps on the skin and the list perpetuates.
Another fun fact is that it has a mortality rate of between zero and eleven percent and affects children under nineteen the most, when it comes to the severity of the illness, so most of us should watch out. Originating in Central Africa, the virus has made its mark, showing up in the UK, in Sweden, even in our beloved country, Thailand. It is a cousin to smallpox, though it is not as well-known up until recently.
TikTok, news outlets and scientific publications have been raving about this disease. People are in an uproar, worrying that their lives would once again be put on hold, due to the possibility of another lockdown. Schools, restaurants, shopping mall; all shut down. The isolation and loneliness, the rules and regulations. Remember the worldwide restrictive curfews? Suddenly, we are at our blinding computer screens; trying to focus on what the teacher is saying on zoom. We are trapped in a purgatory-like state all over again. Or for some of us reading, it is heavenly— being blessed with a break from teaching annoying, whining children. Just try not to incentivize yourself to wish for a pandemic, it’s not worth the trouble!
“So, what do we do?” you may be wondering. According to The World Health Organization, despite mpox being declared a “public health emergency of national concern,” you can be rest assured that it won’t be “the new COVID”. No need to fret over being forced through virtual learning or separated from your friends. However, I’m not suggesting you throw a party to celebrate this news, because a highly contagious virus is still a highly contagious virus. Though it may not be ravaging through Thailand yet, it still could. It’s up to you—it’s up to us to prevent that. Take precautions, be safe and be wary of any pimples.
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