In recent years, Central Africa has been grappling with a significant public health threat – Monkeypox. This zoonotic disease, considered rare and emerging, primarily resides in central and west Africa’s remote regions, specifically near tropical rainforests.
The Monkeypox virus, as declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is mainly transmitted from wild animals like rodents and primates to people. However, the virus has a limited secondary spread through human-to-human transmission chain.
A Closer Look at Monkeypox
Monkeypox bears similarity to human smallpox, a disease that the global community managed to eradicate by 1980. Despite the parallels, Monkeypox is considerably milder than smallpox. However, it still poses a lethal threat and can lead to fatalities.
There are no specific treatments or vaccines available to combat the Monkeypox virus. Interestingly, though, smallpox vaccination has shown significant efficacy in preventing Monkeypox.
This viral disease was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It later surfaced in Nigeria in 2017, which experienced the most extensive documented outbreak of the disease. Since May 2018, the Monkeypox virus has been spreading in various regions of Africa.
Monkeypox: Key Facts Recap
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First identification in humans | 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Most extensive outbreak | 2017 in Nigeria |
| Most recent spread | Since May 2018 in various regions of Africa |
| Vaccination | No specific Monkeypox vaccine, but smallpox vaccination is highly effective |
New Gecko Species Discovery in India
In addition to the Monkeypox development, the biological realm made another exciting discovery in India. Two new gecko species were identified – the Spot-necked day gecko (Cnemaspis Maculicolis) and the Anaimudi day gecko (Cnemaspis Anamudiensis).
These distinctly-patterned lizards have been found solely in the Agasthyamalai and Annamalai hill ranges’ higher areas in the Western Ghats. Out of the two, the Spot-necked day gecko stands out with its bluish-white spots arranged in an outstanding ‘necklace-pattern’ on its nape.
For the scientific community and biodiversity enthusiasts, the discovery of these two new gecko species is a thrilling development, prompting further exploration of these unique creatures in their natural habitat. The findings also underline the critical importance of preserving diverse ecosystems, which serves as home to countless yet-to-be-discovered species.
