Awareness on the #Monkey_pox ( M-pox) virus! ✓ Monkey pox (mpox) is an infectious disease that causes painful rashes, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy. Mpox often begins on the face and spread all over the body, extending to the hands and soles of the feet and genitals, which may be itchy or painful. ✓ Transmission: Mpox can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact with someone who has the virus. Contact involves: touching, kissing, sex, hugging, cuddling with someone who has it, contact with bodily fluids, contaminated objects such as beddings, clothes, needles, etc, contaminated surfaces. Animal to human transmissions: one can get mpox from the bites, scratches of an infected animal. Mpox can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman who has it, to her baby during pregnancy or after birth. People who are at higher risk of contracting the virus: Children, pregnant women, Old folks, people with weak immune systems, people with HIV, people with multiple sexual partners, people in the same household or close to a community with someone who has it. ✓ Signs & symptoms of mpox : Signs & symptoms begin within a week, but can start from 1-21 days after exposure. These Signs & Symptoms include: Rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle pains, back pains and low energy. ✓ Prevention of Mpox: —Avoid close contact in social gatherings —Avoid contact with materials such as beddings, clothes, surfaces or any contaminated items —Wash your hands frequently with soap & water —Practice safe sex (use condoms) —Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces —Use Personal Protective Equipment, PPEs (gloves, mask) when caring for sick people —Avoid contact with infected animals. ✓ What to do when you suspect or have Mpox? —Stay at home and avoid close contact with others (especially vulnerable people like children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals). —Do not share bedding, towels, or personal items. —Let people you’ve recently been in close contact with know, so they can monitor for symptoms and seek testing if necessary. —Contact a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and supportive treatment. —Keep skin lesions clean and dry. —Avoid scratching the rash to prevent infection and scarring. —Use bandages or clothing to cover affected areas when around others. —Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer. —Clean surfaces you touch regularly (e.g., doorknobs, toilets, phones). —Use disinfectants recommended for viruses. ✓ Note! Remember disease has no boundaries so let's act now to protect ourselves, our families, friends, loved ones, and everyone else!