25/05/2022
They look the same but they're not!
Confusing right? So please read below to understand 😎
Chickenpox is NOT Smallpox.
We also need to know the difference between Human Smallpox (more serious) and Monkeypox (milder).
The disease that is having an outbreak here in the UK 🇬🇧 as well as in several other countries is MONKEYPOX.
🦠 Chickenpox, is an infectious and highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus, from the Herpetoviridae family. It is quite common in children under 15 years old.
🦠 Human Smallpox is by Orthopoxvirus variolae and causes a very serious disease and eradicated thanks to vaccination resulting from a major WHO campaign.
🦠 Monkeypox, like smallpox, is a member of the orthopoxvirus group. Experts point out that it is much milder and less contagious than the human version of the disease.
BUT… we are still waiting for more information to know if there has been any change in the virus to try to understand the reason for an unusual outbreak.
Until then… let's take care of ourselves. No desperation, no exaggeration.
Masks once again being our ally. Hygiene and education on the topic is crucial.
🚨 Please don't kill or mistreat the monkeys!!! Despite the name, monkeys are not reservoirs of the smallpox virus. Although the reservoir is unknown, the main candidates are small rodents. Monkeys suffer from the disease just like us! Killing them won't help! 🚨
Thank you
Priscila Currie - Paramedic
