Eleven U.S. States Report Potential Monkeypox Patients

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are tracking potential monkeypox cases that have been reported in eleven states as of June 2, 2022. The total number of patients has reached (18).

'It's not clear how the people were exposed to monkeypox, but early data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up many of these cases.'

Globally, media reports indicate about 3% of the 853 potential monkeypox patients are women.

'However, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk,' says the CDC.

'Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider.'

As an example, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) has identified a resident who is a probable monkeypox case based on preliminary testing at the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Bureau of Laboratories.

The PDPH is investigating how this person was exposed and if they may have exposed anyone else since they became infectious.

"The threat to Philadelphians from monkeypox is extremely low," commented Health Department Acute Communicable Disease Program Manager Dana Perella in a June 2, 2022 press release.

"Monkeypox is much less contagious than COVID-19 and is containable, particularly when prompt care is sought for symptoms."

"Vaccine to prevent or lessen the severity of illness is available through the CDC for high-risk contacts of persons infected with monkeypox, as is the (TPOXX) antiviral treatment for patients with monkeypox."

"I believe that residents and visitors should feel safe to do all the fun things Philadelphia offers, with the proper precautions."

Monkeypox is a vaccine-preventable disease, says the CDC.

In the USA, the CDC offers the Jynneos vaccine to close contacts suspected of being infected with the monkeypox virus.

Additional monkeypox outbreak breaking news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

Note: The news was manually curated for mobile readers.