[Q&A] Monkeypox, Is It Easily Transmitted Through Saliva Droplets?

Possibility of Respiratory Droplet Infection Exists but Transmission Probability is Low
Most Infections Occur Through Close and Direct Contact Such as Sexual Intercourse

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Monkeypox is spreading, with 171 confirmed cases reported across 18 countries worldwide. The United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal in Europe account for about 78% of all infections, and the virus has spread to other continents, with monkeypox confirmed in all regions except Asia. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has strengthened surveillance and response systems, considering the possibility of monkeypox entering the country.

-What kind of disease is monkeypox?

▲Monkeypox is endemic to some Central and West African countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. It is a disease similar to smallpox but is known to have milder symptoms. After infection, symptoms such as fever and headache begin, followed by rash symptoms appearing on the face within 1 to 3 days. The rash spreads centrifugally to limbs and other body parts. The incubation period is usually 6 to 13 days, up to 21 days, and symptoms last for 2 to 4 weeks before most patients recover naturally. However, the fatality rate is relatively high, ranging from 1% to 10%.

-How is it transmitted?

▲It can be transmitted through animals and humans. In animals, it has been confirmed to spread through infected primates (such as monkeys) and rodents (such as squirrels). It is advisable to avoid contact with wild animals or animal carcasses. Human transmission occurs through direct contact of an infected person's blood or bodily fluids with wounds or mucous membranes. Infection can also occur through contact with clothing, bedding, or needles contaminated with the patient's blood or bodily fluids.

-Can it be transmitted through respiratory droplets?

▲Infection is possible if saliva or other fluids directly contact mucous membranes, but the likelihood is low. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stated that recent monkeypox cases show a high frequency of human-to-human transmission, often involving individuals without travel history to endemic regions, suggesting a high possibility of spread through close contact during sexual activity.

-Can children get infected?

▲Children, including newborns, can be infected. If a pregnant woman is infected, the fetus can be infected through the placenta, or the newborn can be infected through physical contact during childbirth. Especially, children, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals tend to experience more severe symptoms and have a higher risk of death if infected.

-Are there behavioral guidelines if infected with monkeypox?

▲Unlike COVID-19, there are no fixed isolation periods, but some health authorities recommend isolation if infected with monkeypox and advise wearing long-sleeved clothing to cover rashes as much as possible. Infected individuals are encouraged to isolate until all symptoms, including blisters and scabs, disappear. The ECDC noted that the smallpox virus is highly resistant to dry environments and high temperatures, so infectivity can persist for months to years on contaminated bedding and other materials with scabs or secretions from infected persons. Therefore, the ECDC recommends disinfecting rooms where infected individuals stayed with sodium hypochlorite solution and washing clothes and towels in water at temperatures above 60°C.

-Are there vaccines or treatments?

▲Monkeypox is known to have about 85% preventive effectiveness through cross-immunity from the smallpox vaccine. Although approximately 35.02 million doses of the smallpox vaccine are stockpiled domestically, health authorities are not considering vaccination for the general population. The smallpox vaccine is effective in preventing infection if administered within 4 days after virus exposure and can prevent severe symptoms if given within 14 days, so its use is being considered only in limited cases after exposure. Antiviral drugs such as cidofovir, brincidofovir, tecovirimat, and vaccinia immune globulin are used as treatments.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.