ClassX Video Lessons Monkeypox Outbreak | How Monkeypox Started? #zoonotic #monkeypox #diseases #peekabookidz
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when scientists noticed a disease similar to smallpox in a group of monkeys that were being studied. Because it was first seen in monkeys, they named it “Monkeypox.”
In the 1970s, Monkeypox started to affect people, especially in Central and Western Africa. This was a big deal because it showed that the virus could jump from animals to humans, making it an exotic disease.
The virus that causes Monkeypox is part of a group called the orthopoxvirus genus. It looks oval-shaped under a microscope and is related to other viruses like smallpox and cowpox. Even though it was first found in monkeys, the virus can also live in other animals, especially rodents like rats and mice.
Monkeypox is a good example of how diseases can move between animals and humans. It reminds us that we need to keep an eye on diseases that can jump from animals to people, which are called zoonotic diseases.
Viruses like Monkeypox can spread in different ways. They can move from animals to humans through bites, scratches, or even by touching an infected animal. Once a person is infected, the virus can spread to others through close contact, like touching or sharing items with someone who is sick.
Understanding how viruses spread helps scientists and doctors find ways to prevent and treat diseases. By studying viruses, we can learn how to protect ourselves and others from getting sick.
Animal Observation Journal: Spend a week observing animals in your neighborhood or at a local park. Write down any interactions you notice between different animals or between animals and people. Think about how these interactions might help or prevent the spread of diseases like Monkeypox. Discuss with your class how observing animals can help us understand more about zoonotic diseases.
Virus Transmission Experiment: Use glitter to simulate how viruses spread. Have one student start with glitter on their hands (representing the virus) and then interact with others by shaking hands or sharing objects. Observe how the “virus” spreads from one person to another. Discuss what actions could stop the spread of the glitter and relate it to real-life practices like washing hands and using hand sanitizers.
Math Connection – Virus Spread: Imagine a scenario where one person with Monkeypox can spread the virus to two other people each day. Use this information to calculate how many people could be infected after 5 days. Write the equation as $$2^n$$ where $n$ is the number of days. Discuss how quickly viruses can spread and why it’s important to control outbreaks early.
