Where Is Monkeypox Spreading in the United States and Throughout the World?

Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus and spread to humans through contact with infected animals or other humans. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports there are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments for monkeypox. Though there are only about 400 cases of monkeypox each year worldwide, the CDC notes that to prevent it from spreading more widely in the United States, you should understand where it’s located throughout the world and how it spreads. With this information, you can work to protect yourself against it at home and while traveling abroad.

Monkeypox found in New York

The first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in a non-human primate in New York. The animal at Animal Care Centers of NYC tested positive for monkeypox after being brought to a veterinarian with symptoms that included low-grade fever, runny nose, cough, watery eyes, and labored breathing. This is different from Ebola because it cannot be spread to humans through contact with animals or objects that have come into contact with an infected animal (see below). Only people can spread it from person to person. That said, anyone who comes into contact with someone who has contracted monkeypox should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms usually appear within 10 days of exposure but could take up to 21 days to develop. It’s not known how long someone can carry the virus before showing signs of infection. So far there have been no reported cases of human transmission in New York City, though health officials are still investigating whether any other individuals may have had contact with either infected individual.

The second case of monkeypox identified

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed that the second case of monkeypox has been identified on Monday. The individual, who has not been identified, lives in Texas. This marks the fourth person to be diagnosed with monkeypox in 2018. The CDC is currently investigating whether any other individuals may have come into contact with these individuals. Health officials warn that all are at risk of becoming ill and can spread the infection to others until they start showing symptoms of illness. People who live in or travel to areas where the monkeypox virus is found should protect themselves from mosquito bites and take measures to prevent tick bites if they live in areas where ticks are common. You should also avoid contact with nonhuman primates or unpasteurized juices made from fruits or vegetables unless you know they do not carry disease. You should seek medical care immediately if you develop fever, muscle aches, headache, chills, or a rash within 10 days after traveling to an area where cases of monkeypox have been reported.

What is monkeypox?

A virus known as monkeypox has been infecting people living in parts of central Africa for hundreds of years. The disease is caused by a pox virus, which is related to smallpox, but much less deadly. It’s possible that if certain strains of monkeypox were to infect humans, it could kill them; however, most cases are fairly mild. Many people who contract monkeypox have no symptoms at all. If you do develop symptoms from monkeypox, they typically appear about 10 days after infection. 

How is it transmitted?

The monkeypox virus is mainly transmitted through contact with infected animals or their excrement. Humans can contract it by direct contact with infected animals, such as monkeys or rodents, or by touching a person who has contracted it. It’s also possible to get it from an infected human. It’s not contagious among humans, however; you cannot get monkeypox from another human being like you would a cold or flu. Transmission of the disease occurs when someone comes into contact with an infected animal or object that carries traces of its saliva, urine, feces, or blood. You can avoid contracting monkeypox if you don’t come into contact with any of these things while traveling in areas where outbreaks have been reported. If you do come into contact with them, wash your hands thoroughly after handling them and make sure to avoid sharing personal items (such as clothing) that could spread it further.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

Many people who catch monkeypox don’t get any symptoms at all, but those who do usually develop fever, headache, muscle aches, and backache within 5 to 14 days of being infected. The telltale sign of monkeypox is a rash that may look like measles. But unlike measles—which is characterized by white spots that form a speckled pattern—monkeypox’s telltale rash is made up of tiny pimple-like bumps with ragged edges. Over time, these bumps scab over and turn dark brown or black before falling off. In rare cases, complications can arise from monkeypox infection; these include bacterial skin infections, pneumonia (lung infection), inflammation of blood vessels (disseminated intravascular coagulation), hepatitis (liver infection), encephalitis (brain swelling), and death. However, these are very rare occurrences: most people who contract monkeypox recover completely after about three weeks without any lasting effects.

Is it treatable with vaccines?

For many of us, vaccines are a scary prospect. We worry that they might cause a serious reaction or that they’re not worth taking if we’re healthy. But if you have monkeypox, you may just be glad to have them—and you might even wish you had gotten them sooner. There is no cure for monkeypox, but vaccines can protect us from getting it in the future. There's a need for vaccines, but currently, no ones are approved. So how do doctors treat people who get sick with monkeypox? They treat their symptoms. If you start to feel ill, your doctor will probably recommend bed rest and plenty of fluids. If your rash gets really bad, he or she might prescribe an antihistamine to reduce itching. People with severe cases may need intravenous fluids or pain relievers as well. Antibiotics won’t help against monkeypox because these viruses are part of a family called paramyxoviruses that antibiotics don’t affect.

Conclusion

Since its discovery, monkeypox has been widespread throughout Africa and parts of Central and South America. In many regions, it’s still a rare disease—which doesn’t mean you should take it lightly. If you or your child develops symptoms that look like pox, don’t panic (that is a good thing to do) but take it seriously. Keep yourself or your child isolated from others until you can talk to a doctor about potential monkeypox treatment. And if you’re traveling abroad, be sure to keep an eye out for any signs of monkeypox—and report them immediately if they appear. The CDC has issued travel advisories for some countries where outbreaks have occurred; check with them before traveling abroad if you are concerned about contracting monkeypox while away from home.