“We are ready to take our response to the next level in dealing with this virus, and we are calling on every American to take this virus seriously and take responsibility to help us deal with this virus,” said the US Secretary of Health and Human Services. Xavier Becerra I said.
Lesions are usually concentrated on the arms and legs, but in this outbreak they appear more frequently in the genital and perianal areas.
“It classically presents like many other viral illnesses with what is called a viral prodrome, and symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and muscle aches are common. Within five days of the onset of the prodrome, patients develop a rash that may look like pimples or blisters,” said Dr. Jason Zucker, an infectious disease specialist at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
How is monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is spread through close contact, according to the CDC. This includes direct physical contact with lesions as well as “respiratory secretions” shared through face-to-face interaction and touching objects that have been contaminated with monkeypox lesions or fluids. The virus can also pass to the fetus through the placenta. Many of the cases in the outbreak appear to be related to sexual contact, often during sex. The CDC says research is ongoing into whether monkeypox can be spread through semen or vaginal fluids, or whether the virus can spread asymptomatically.
Who is at risk for monkeypox?
Anyone who has had contact with someone with a monkeypox-like rash, or who has had contact with someone who has a probable or confirmed case of monkeypox, is at high risk of infection.
However, a large number of cases in this outbreak are in men who have sex with men, including gay and bisexual men, and public health officials are focusing prevention efforts on this group. The virus is not unique to this community, but the nature of its close contact spread has resulted in a disproportionate impact.
“The vast majority of those who have been diagnosed with the human monkeypox virus so far are self-identified men who have sex with men,” Zucker said.
“This is probably due to shared sexual networks. So what we see is that they see it first and experience it the majority of the time. Just like other diseases, there is no reason why it cannot spread to other communities through sexual or other close contact,” he said.
According to the CDC, those at higher risk during this outbreak included people who had “skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity,” including men who have sex with men who meet partners online, through an app or at a social event. People with conditions involving a weakened immune system, such as HIV and eczema, and children younger than 8 may also be at higher risk of severe illness if infected, according to the CDC.
What should I do if I have symptoms of monkeypox?
If you notice a new rash or other symptoms of monkeypox, avoid close contact with other people until you see a doctor and get tested.
“When you see a health care provider, wear a mask and remind them that the virus is circulating in the area,” the CDC says.
If you’re diagnosed with monkeypox, the agency recommends isolating at home and away from family members until the rash or lesions clear up.
What is the treatment for monkeypox?
According to the CDC, there is no approved treatment specific to monkeypox. But because it is genetically similar to smallpox, doctors can use similar treatments, such as antiviral drugs. The CDC is providing doses of tecoxiramit, an antiviral drug also known as Tpoxx, for monkeypox patients at risk of severe disease. This may include people whose infection has progressed to a severe stage and people with weakened immune systems. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases also announced a study of Tpoxx as a treatment for monkeypox. Treatment of monkeypox should also include efforts to manage symptoms and complications, according to the World Health Organization.
Is there a monkeypox vaccine?
There are two vaccines available in the US to prevent monkeypox, but not everyone is eligible to receive one.
The US has “sufficient supplies” of the smallpox vaccine ACAM2000, which can also be used to prevent monkeypox. However, it should not be used in people with certain health conditions, according to the CDC.
“We have 100 million doses of ACAM2000,” National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci said in late June, but its side effects mean that “in my mind as a public health person, I wouldn’t it was worth giving it widely throughout the population.”
Another vaccine, Jynneos, is specifically designed for monkeypox, but is in short supply. Federal stocks are allocated to municipalities based on the number of cases and the population at risk in an area.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than 600,000 doses of Jynneos have been distributed from the strategic national stockpile, and another 150,000 doses are expected to arrive in September. The CDC has estimated that at least 1.5 million people in the US are eligible for the monkeypox vaccination. The federal government has proposed changing the way vaccines are physically administered, which could mean the current supply could be stretched even further. Jynneos is a two-dose vaccine, with a four-week interval between doses. But in light of the shortage, some experts have called for a single-dose regimen until supplies improve.
Monkeypox vaccination can be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and PEP in response to an outbreak (PEP++), according to the CDC.
PrEP refers to vaccinations given to members of high-risk communities, such as laboratory or healthcare workers, before they come into contact with the virus.
PEP means vaccinating people after some exposure to prevent disease or to relieve symptoms. For prevention, the CDC recommends that the vaccine be given up to four days after exposure. PEP given four to 14 days after exposure may result in milder disease.
PEP++ is the CDC’s approach for people with unconfirmed exposure to the virus but with risk factors that may make them more likely to become infected.
“When combined with self-isolation and other prevention measures when symptoms first appear, PEP++ can help slow the spread of disease in areas with high numbers of monkeypox cases,” the CDC says.
Can I get a vaccine?
Demand for the monkeypox vaccine is high, but supply shortages and eligibility restrictions mean it can be hard to find at this stage.
Eligibility for vaccines remains somewhat strict.
People who are known to have been confirmed contacts of people with monkeypox are eligible for vaccination. Also eligible are suspected contacts who have had a sexual partner in the past 14 days with a diagnosis of monkeypox, those who have had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in an area where monkeypox is spreading, and those whose work may expose them of monkeypox, according to the CDC.
If you think you meet one of these criteria and want to find out if you qualify, contact your doctor or local health department.
How do I protect myself?
The CDC recommends avoiding close contact or sharing objects with someone with monkeypox. Frequent hand washing is also recommended. For social gatherings, including parties, raves, clubs and festivals, the CDC says to stick to events with more clothing, where skin-to-skin contact may be less frequent. Avoid sex or close physical intimacy if anyone involved has monkeypox. The CDC recommends specifically avoiding touching a rash that may be on a partner’s body. To prevent the spread of monkeypox while sexually active, keeping a distance of 6 feet, wearing clothing during sex, and using condoms and/or gloves can reduce the chances of exposure.
“However, condoms alone may not prevent all monkeypox exposures because the rash can appear on other parts of the body,” the CDC says.
Add Comment