Here's what you need to know about the virus | Monkeypox is a public health emergency.
The World Health Organization has declared an outbreak of monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern, but it is not a disease that the general public is aware of.
As of Saturday, the virus had been detected in more than 70 countries, 68 of which had historically not reported cases of monkeypox. In the US, confirmed cases have occurred in all but six states: Alaska, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Vermont and Wyoming, according to the CDC.
For more than a decade, members of the scientific community have been concerned about the potential for monkeypox epidemics.
With nearly 16,000 reported cases worldwide and counting, here's what you need to know about monkeypox, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you think you have it.
What exactly is Monkey Pox?
Aside from the wildlife reference, the only similarity between monkey and chicken pox is that they are a virus. Instead, monkeypox more closely resembles smallpox, which was eradicated in the 1980s through universal vaccination efforts.
Both viruses belong to the orthopoxvirus family. Monkeypox is not as contagious or deadly as smallpox. However, some researchers fear that monkeypox could mutate and become a greater threat to humans.
"Although smallpox has been eradicated from the human population since 1980, monkeypox has the potential to fill the gap," the study said. "An extensive outbreak of person-to-person transmission of monkeypox in the Republic of Congo in 2003 demonstrates the potential for this virus to become a more successful human pathogen."
Before the 2022 outbreak, almost all monkeypox cases found outside of Africa – where some rodents and nonhuman primates likely carry the virus – were linked to international travel and imported animals.
Within the United States, there was an outbreak in 2003 alone, when 47 confirmed and probable cases were discovered in six states. The CDC said at the time that the outbreak was linked to pet prairie dogs that came into contact with nearby infected rodents, including several species of squirrels, mice, and rats.
What are the symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of monkeypox are similar to chickenpox:
fever
Headache
Muscle pain
Lack of energy
A rash may also be present, which looks like pimples and pus-filled blisters, the CDC says. It can spread all over the human body, including the face, feet, hands, genitals, and inside the mouth.
It is important to note that doctors may notice a subtle rash in some patients. NPR reported that some people have developed a single sore that could be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease such as herpes or syphilis.
Monkeypox continues to spread. Here's what authorities are doing to stop it.
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"I think it's actually extremely important," Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease physician at McGill University, told NPR last month. "Because you can see how those patients can be missed. But they're still contagious and can spread disease."
The CDC says the rash usually lasts two to four weeks and that some people develop it before other symptoms start, while others may only experience the rash.
How deadly is monkeypox?
The good news is that the version of monkeypox that spreads around the world -- the West African variety -- isn't particularly deadly. According to the CDC, more than 99 percent of patients can expect to survive.
However, the infection can be fatal in children under 8 years of age, people with weakened immune systems, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The most common result after infection is scarring with a rash. But more serious complications can occur, including pulmonary distress and bronchopneumonia, according to a 2009 study of monkeypox in humans. The virus can also cause eye infections and corneal scarring, which in severe cases can lead to permanent vision loss.
How does the virus spread?
The CDC says the risk of contracting monkeypox in the U.S. is "considered low," but anyone who comes into close contact with someone with the disease is at risk of infection.
The current outbreak is spreading through human-to-human contact. WHO warns that you can develop an infection from respiratory droplets by spending too much time face-to-face with a monkeypox carrier.
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Monkeypox outbreak could have been avoided and warning signs ignored, expert says.
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The virus is also spread through physical contact, which includes touching a sore as well as exchanging certain bodily fluids such as saliva. A person can become infected by touching objects and surfaces shared with someone showing symptoms.
How do I protect myself?
Crowded places where people are fully clothed have a relatively low risk of monkeypox. But your chances increase in crowded nightclubs and raves, where some people have more exposed skin because the virus is spread primarily through skin-to-skin contact.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Because the virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact, the CDC advises people to take precautions in situations where a person cannot maintain some sense of personal space and touching others is impractical. In places where clothing is minimal and you can experience this touch, such as crowded raves and clubs, the risk increases.
The CDC recommends keeping potentially contaminated items such as bedding, linens, and towels in place until you have time to do laundry. Make sure you wash your hands frequently with soap and water as you dispose of all cleaning supplies when you are cleaning.
Another way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to stay up-to-date on the spread of the virus in your area. You can do this by checking the CDC map, which tracks monkeypox cases by state, as well as alerts from state and local health departments.
Monkeypox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, but the CDC says researchers are still trying to determine whether the virus can be found in semen, vaginal fluids and feces. . Sexually active people should be open about their potential exposure to the virus, and ask their partners or partners to do the same.
Pregnant carriers who are due to give birth are advised to have a C-section to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their newborns. Additionally, premature births, pregnancy loss, and stillbirths have also been reported.
What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms?
Whether you are actively experiencing symptoms or believe you have come into contact with a potential carrier, the first step is to isolate yourself to prevent the spread of the virus. Then, contact a healthcare provider who will determine if you should be tested.
However, getting tested can be easy. Scientists have told NPR that the outbreak in the U.S. is larger than the official case count, with one describing the testing situation as "extremely poor."
The WHO is advising people to self-isolate for three weeks from the time they believe they have been exposed and to limit contact with others while awaiting test results.
Medical treatment
Despite the country's large stockpile, treatment for monkeypox is difficult to obtain.
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Your healthcare provider will tell you what to do if you should test positive for monkeypox. According to the WHO, the virus should run its course, and symptoms should resolve on their own in two to four weeks without the need for treatment.
If you are experiencing tell-tale symptoms, here are some suggestions from the WHO:
Avoid scratching your skin.
Keep skin dry and uncovered
Clean the skin with sterile water or antiseptic.
For body lesions, take a warm bath with baking soda or Epsom salts.
For mouth sores, use a saltwater rinse as you would for canker sores.
If you live in a shared household, isolate yourself in your room and use a dedicated bathroom if possible. Use separate eating utensils, towels, and electronics, and do your own laundry. Open your windows whenever possible for good ventilation, but avoid sweeping and vacuuming, which can disturb virus particles on the floor and lead to further infection.
What about vaccines?
A man receives a dose of monkeypox vaccination in London, England. Vaccines, designed to prevent smallpox, also protect against monkeypox, which is from the same viral family.
Holly Adams/Getty Images
The U.S. uses two types of smallpox vaccine to fight monkeypox because past data show that the vaccine can be 85 percent effective against the virus. In the current outbreak, the CDC says there is no data available on the effectiveness of any vaccine.
The CDC states that people who have been exposed to monkeypox and have not received a smallpox vaccine within three years should receive one as soon as possible. The agency recommends that individuals be vaccinated within four days of exposure and within two weeks to minimize symptoms.
Side effects of the vaccine may include mild fever, fatigue, and swollen glands, as well as redness and itching at the injection site.
Unfortunately, one of these vaccines is in limited supply - more are expected to become available in the coming weeks and months - and the other should not be taken by people with certain skin conditions, weakened immune systems, and people who are pregnant.
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