The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed on Wednesday that a person who was recently in Canada was infected by the disease. The patient is currently in stable health within Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr Paul Biddinger, the chief emergency and continuity coordinator in Mass General Brigham, said in a press conference. Another US incident was discovered later in the year and involved a traveller from Nigeria.
The CDC claims it is investigating multiple monkeypox outbreaks which have been reported in the last two weeks across different countries. Most cases have been identified among gay men or bisexuals.
The United Kingdom and Portugal have reported confirmed cases, and Spanish authorities announced on Wednesday that they are conducting an investigation into over 20 cases suspected of being linked to the disease. British health authorities revealed two new infections on Wednesday.
The WHO (World Health Organization) reported that it was aware of seven verified or likely cases, including three cases in one family. In addition, more than 45 incidents have been identified in Nigeria since 2017 according to the CDC.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox was named after the animals that it was first identified. The illness was first discovered in the year 1958, among monkeys that were kept for research. The CDC declares that monkey pox-related infections generally last between two and four weeks. They begin with flu-like symptoms, and swelling of lymph nodes.
The illness can be spread via contact with animals, with people infected and the materials used by affected individuals, according to health officials.
How to detect Monkeypox virus?
It’s easy to spot since it is accompanied by flu-like symptoms, like headache, fever muscle aches, and exhaustion. The majority of patients get a rash in the first one to three days after the fever. It is generally on their face first, and then elsewhere on the body.
How did Monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox virus is an uncommon but extremely dangerous disease that is comparable to the once eradicated smallpox virus. It’s usually contracted by an animal, either small or rodent and is unable to readily spread between people. The monkeypox virus can be spread by contact with bodily fluids.
“Many of these worldwide reports of monkey pox-related cases are happening in sexual networks. (a man who has reported sexual encounters with males, )” An expert Inger Damon has stated.