Monkeypox (cont.)
Is monkeypox fatal?
Studies of
human monkeypox in rural central and west Africa - where people live in
remote areas and are medically underserved - have reported case-fatality
ratios of as high as 10%.
How do people get monkeypox?
Monkeypox
can spread to humans from an infected animal through an animal bite or
direct contact with the animal's lesions or body fluids. The disease
also can be spread from person to person, although it is much less
infectious than smallpox. In human transmission, the virus is thought to
be transmitted by respiratory droplets during direct and prolonged
face-to-face contact. In addition, it is possible monkeypox can be spread
by direct contact with body fluids of an infected person or with
virus-contaminated objects, such as bedding or clothing.
Is there a treatment for monkeypox?
Currently,
no treatment is available for monkeypox. Smallpox vaccine has been
reported to reduce the risk of monkeypox among previously vaccinated
persons in Africa. CDC is assessing the potential role of postexposure use
of smallpox vaccine as well as therapeutic use of the antiviral drug
cidofovir.
Monkeypox in the United States
Where has human monkeypox been reported in the United States?
As of June
9, a total of 33 persons with suspected monkeypox had been reported in
Wisconsin (18), Illinois (10), and Indiana (5). Monkeypox had been
confirmed by laboratory tests in four persons. Seven of the people with
suspected monkeypox had been hospitalized for their illness; there have
been no deaths related to the outbreak. The number of cases and states
involved in the outbreak will likely change as the investigation
continues. For recent information on cases, please see the
CDC
Monkeypox Information Update Center.
Next: How did these people become infected with monkeypox virus? »
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