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[First appearance of monkey pox in human beings in Gabon]
A Meyer1, J J Esposito, F Gras
1Division clinique, Institut de Médecine Tropicale, Hambourg, R.F.A.
Abstract:
The authors report on the first coming out in Gabon of human monkey-pox. Four children in the same family were simultaneously attacked. In one of the two fatal cases, diagnosis of monkey-pox was confirmed by the isolation of the virus. In the three other cases, diagnosis was based on clinical and epidemiological findings. The coming out of monkey-pox in Gabon squares with sporadic coming out of this zoonosis observed in the humid tropical forests of west and Central Africa. Two fatal cases presented some symptoms of hemorrhagic fever and cutaneous symptoms did not dominate the clinical feature. As a consequence of it, monkey-pox has to be envisaged in similar cases. The attack of liver and spleen in man has not been documented up till now, as it has been for monkeys. Classical diagnosis is based on the isolation of the virus from a cutaneous lesion. In the present case, the virus was isolated from a blood sample. Epidemiological study did not reveal any interhuman transmission evidence, nor the source of infection.
Insights
Human monkey-pox (Mpox) has emerged in Gabon, affecting four children in one family. Diagnosis was confirmed via virus isolation in one fatal case, highlighting the need to consider Mpox in similar febrile illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Monkey-pox (Mpox) is a zoonotic viral disease endemic in West and Central Africa.
- Sporadic outbreaks have been observed in tropical forest regions.
- Previous human cases primarily presented with characteristic cutaneous lesions.
Observation:
- The first documented human Mpox outbreak in Gabon involved four children from the same family.
- Two fatal cases exhibited symptoms resembling hemorrhagic fever, with non-dominant cutaneous manifestations.
- The virus was successfully isolated from a blood sample, deviating from the classical diagnosis via cutaneous lesions.
Findings:
- Simultaneous infection in multiple family members suggests potential transmission routes.
- The atypical presentation of Mpox, including hemorrhagic symptoms and potential organ involvement (liver and spleen), broadens the clinical spectrum.
- Virus isolation from blood offers an alternative diagnostic method.
Implications:
- Mpox should be considered in differential diagnoses for unexplained febrile illnesses with hemorrhagic symptoms, even without prominent skin lesions.
- This outbreak underscores the importance of continued surveillance of zoonotic diseases in Central Africa.
- Understanding atypical Mpox presentations is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective public health response.