Monkeypox has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization for the second time in three years.
The Aug. 14 declaration came in response to an outbreak spanning 13 African nations including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Central African Republic and others. Over 17,000 cases have been reported according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Before last week’s declaration, the most recent global emergency due to mpox was in 2022. Here is everything else you need to know about the outbreak and virus.
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How is monkeypox transmitted?
The two types of mpox – clade I and clade II – are both spread through direct contact with infected wild animals, a person with mpox or contaminated materials. Direct contact can also happen through prolonged face-to-face interactions such as talking or breathing.
Among the two varieties, clade I, which occurs most in Central Africa, tends to cause more severe illness and death. Clade II was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022 – infections are less severe and occur most in West Africa.
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Is monkeypox in the United States? South Carolina?
This digitally colorized electron microscopic image depicts monkeypox virus particles.
While the mpox outbreak has been declared a global health emergency by the WHO, the outbreak of clade I in Africa has not spread to the United States as of last week. Federal officials say the risk of a widespread outbreak is low in the U.S., though there are generally a few cases of clade II mpox reported in the U.S. every week.
The CDC issued a health alert and travel notice about clade I mpox in Central Africa and neighboring countries. It is recommended that providers and health agencies monitor signs and ask patients about recent travel to affected areas.
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What are monkeypox symptoms?
According to the CDC, people infected with mpox typically get a rash that can occur on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth or genitals. During the incubation period, 3-17 days, a person will not have any symptoms and can feel fine.
Other symptoms of mpox can include:
Fever
Chills
Swollen lymph nodes
Exhaustion
Muscle aches and backaches
Headaches
Respiratory problems such as sore throat, nasal congestion or cough
Typically, symptoms start within 21 days of exposure to the virus. A rash will likely develop within four days if you have flu-like symptoms.
Monkeypox vaccines released from the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile are given to eligible New Jersey residents at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus to help prevent the spread of the once-rare disease.
What are the first signs of monkeypox?
The CDC lists fever, muscle aches and sore throat as the mpox symptoms that generally appear first. The associated rash begins on the face and spreads over the body, extending to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and evolving in stages over 2-4 weeks.
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How do you test for monkeypox?
Tests for mpox are available through health care providers, and are recommended to anyone who has a rash consistent with mpox.
Specimens are collected for testing by swabbing lesions of the rash. These samples are sent to a lab, and results return within a few days.
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How is monkeypox treated?
Miriala Gonzalez, a registered nurse, measures out a monkeypox vaccine shot at a vaccination site setup in Tropical Park by Miami-Dade County and Nomi Health on August 15, 2022 in Miami, Florida.
There is currently no treatment for mpox. However, there is a vaccine that can prevent infection from the disease.
While there is no treatment, doctors are testing to see if TPOXX, the treatment for smallpox – a similar disease – could have any effect on mpox due to these similarities.
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Jordan Green, USA TODAY network, contributed to this report.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Is monkeypox in US? Mpox a global health emergency.
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Publish date : 2024-08-20 07:39:00
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