Researched by Awa Macalo

Chickenpox and Mpox formerly called MonkeyPox are both viral diseases that cause rashes and other symptoms, however, they are both caused by different viruses and have different modes of transmission. 

Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (commonly abbreviated as MPXV), an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, which includes variola, cowpox, vaccinia and other viruses. 

The two genetic clades of the virus are clades I and II whilst chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, a member of the herpes virus family that sometimes causes shingles in adults. 

The first human case of monkeypox virus was reported on a 9 months old boy in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970 but was first  discovered in Denmark in 1958 in monkeys kept for research . 

For Chickenpox, it is usually associated with children, but adults can contract the disease as well. In fact, the disease is often more dangerous for adults than it is for children. Before the vaccine in the mid-90s, mostly every child would have their experience with the disease. 

Variable Mpox Chicken pox
Transmission For some people, the first symptom of Mpox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first. 

The rash begins as a flat sore which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off. 

Person-to-person transmission of Mpox can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals; this includes contact which is: 

  • face-to-face (talking or breathing)
  • skin-to-skin (touching or vaginal/anal sex)
  • mouth-to-mouth (kissing)
  • mouth-to-skin contact (oral sex or kissing the skin)
  • respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact
 Unlike Mpox,  chickenpox easily affects children more than adults. After exposure to chickenpox, the affected child may appear to be fine for one to three weeks before feeling sick. The virus can be spread from one to two days before the child shows any signs of illness until all the blisters have crusted over or scabbed.

Chickenpox is transmitted through:

  • Coming in contact with someone who has chickenpox.
  • Breathing air from an infected person who sneezes or coughs.
  • Coming in contact with fluids from an infected child’s eyes, nose or mouth
Unlike Mpox, Chickenpox symptoms are easily noticeable. Healthcare professionals  can just look at your child’s skin and know if they have chickenpox. 
Signs and symptoms Common symptoms of mpox are:

  • rash
  • fever
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • muscle aches
  • back pain
  • low energy
  • swollen lymph nodes. 
 Symptoms of chickenpox usually happen in the following order:

  • Low-grade fever.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Headache.
  • A stomach ache that makes you not want to eat.
  • A skin rash that’s very itchy and looks like many small blisters.
  • Bumps filled with a liquid that looks like milky water.
  • Scabs after the blisters break.
  • Skin that looks blotchy.
  • Crusty spots that fade away.
Others indicators The rash begins as a flat sore which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off. 

Some people may have one or a few skin lesions and others have hundreds or more. These can appear  anywhere on the body such as the:

  • palms of hands and soles of feet
  • face, mouth and throat
  • groin and genital areas
  • anus.

Complications from chickenpox?

Healthy children who get chickenpox don’t usually have serious complications. However, having a severe case of chickenpox could be more dangerous for:

  • Babies whose birth parent didn’t have chickenpox or the vaccine.
  • Pregnant people who didn’t have chickenpox.
  • Anyone over 18.
  • People with weak immune systems
  • People with HIV or cancer
  • People undergoing chemotherapy.
  • People who had an organ transplant.

Assurance to The Gambian Population:

Following the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declaration of mpox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), the Ministry of Health of The Gambia, in a press statement declared country-specific measures in responding to this outbreak, calling on the public not to panic. 

“The Ministry of Health is vigilant and has already strengthened the national surveillance system to promptly detect and respond to any potential cases of Mpox.

“The Gambia has not recorded any confirmed cases of Mpox to date, but the Ministry of Health remains on high alert and has intensified several measures, in collaboration with Africa CDC, WHO and WAHO to ensure that The Gambia is well-prepared to respond to any potential Mpox cases,” a press statement dated August 17, 2024. 

These measures include:

  1. Enhanced Surveillance: The Ministry of Health has activated its national surveillance system to monitor for any signs of Mpox within the country. Health facilities have been equipped with the necessary tools and protocols to identify and report suspected cases immediately. Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response training for healthcare professionals is currently ongoing country-wide.
  2. Cross-Border Collaboration: The Gambia is actively engaging with neighboring countries and those of the sub-region, particularly Senegal, to coordinate efforts in preventing the spread of Mpox across borders. This includes regular information exchange, joint surveillance activities, and coordinated public health interventions.
  3. Public Awareness Campaigns: The Ministry of Health is rolling out comprehensive public health education campaigns to inform Gambians about the risks of Mpox and the steps they can take to protect themselves. These campaigns will be disseminated through various media channels, including radio, television, and social and print media.
  4. Preparedness and Response Plans: The Ministry of Health has developed contingency plans to ensure a swift and effective response in the event of an outbreak. This includes the establishment of isolation units, stockpiling of necessary medical supplies, and training of healthcare workers on Mpox case management.”
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