Following the recent diagnosis of monkeypox in a man in Boston, MA, last week, a further case has been diagnosed in New York and now a third suspected case is being investigated in Fort Lauderdale.
“This case is related to international travel, and the person remains isolated,” said Jeremy Redfern, a Florida Department of Health spokesman in Broward County. “At this time, DOH-Broward has not identified any additional cases.”
Specimen samples from the individuals have been sent off to the CDC.
Related: Monkeypox outbreak: Gay men advised to check for rashes
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Normally confined to West Africa, outbreaks of the disease have been identified in the last couple of weeks in 11 countries.
There are now 57 confirmed cases in the UK, and health authorities there have said many of them are gay or bi men. A similar pattern has been noted in Spain and Australia.
Monkeypox is not easily spread, but close body contact can transmit the virus. This has led some health officials to issue warnings to gay men to be extra cautious about any rashes or lesions they notice on their bodies.
Belgium has announced it will require close contacts of anyone diagnosed with monkeypox to isolate for 21 days. The UK has recommended the same guidance to those contacted via track and tracing.
President Joe Biden, asked today in Tokyo if he could imagine the US instigating a similar requirement, said he thought it unlikely.
“I just don’t think it rises to the level of the kind of concern that existed with COVID-19, and the smallpox vaccine works for it. But, I think people should be careful,” he said.
The Department of Health in Broward County stressed the infection risk was much lower than a virus such as Covid-19.
“Human-to-human transmission [of monkeypox] generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing,” the department said. “Therefore, the risk of exposure remains low.”
However, authorities in the UK and Australia have warned gay men to be alert if they notice any unusual rashes or lesions, especially around their genitals, and to contact a sexual health clinic if they have concerns.
Related: What is Shigella—and why should gay men know about it?
What is monkeypox
Monkeypox is caused by a virus similar to smallpox. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
It will often be accompanied by a chickenpox-like rash, with lesions tending to eventually scab over and fall off.
UKHSA has detected four new cases of monkeypox – three in London and one in the North East of England 🧵Thread:
These cases do not have known connections to the previous confirmed cases announced on May 7 and May 14. Read more: https://t.co/e8jksQo9Av
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) May 16, 2022
It’s usually a mild, self-limiting illness, and most people will recover within weeks. However, the deadliest variant of the virus can be fatal for up to one in ten of those infected.
The form of the virus currently circulating is believed to be milder, with a fatality rate of less than 1 percent.
Monkeypox is caused by a virus similar to the one that causes smallpox. A mass vaccination program eradicated smallpox in the early 1980s. Because of this, the smallpox vaccine (which is also effective against monkeypox) is no longer routinely given to people. This has prompted some scientists to speculate whether monkeypox could evolve to fill a gap left by the eradicated smallpox.
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Polaro
I sure hope this surge is not really tied to gay saunas and sex parties. We really do not need this again. I’m all for being a slut, that isn’t the problem, but…
ShiningSex
bathhouses are disgusting. always has been. never understood why anyone is into that, but oh well.
Kangol2
Gay saunas certainly still exist, and certainly people are holding sex parties, but it sounds like sex in general (usually a good thing!) is a potential vector. If it spreads through skin-skin contact, given how much sex some people are having, one person alone could easily spread it to lots of others. I just hope the health authorities disseminate clear, understandable information about how to identify monkeypox and protect oneself, and urge people to get health check-ups if they can, especially before all the summer partying begins. I’m sure it doesn’t help that many people may be potentially immunocompromised by Covid-19 and other illnesses, non-immunized against smallpox (especially people under 40?), and otherwise not in the best of health.
radiooutmike
Really, it’s everyone under 50.
I believe childhood smallpox vaccinations stopped here (in the States) in 1972. The only people past that who were vaccinated were in the military or worked/working with select agents like smallpox. Oh and plus bioterrorism response teams after 9/11 (to the present).
Kangol2
Thanks for that clarification, radiooutmike. I went off their 1980 date, but 1972 sounds right.
Ken A.
I can hear it now from the religious reich. Curse from God, wrath of God upon the Sodomites. Monkeypox being called GAYPOX. What fun.
Doug
If this ends up spreading more, the right will jump on this in a second. This is perfect fodder for them considering the anti-gay and trans bills that are being promoted all over the country. It’ll be another recreation of the AIDS hysteria.
johncp56
OMG some news channel said it was mostly passed on by men, here we go again!!