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What
is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that occurs mostly in central and western
Africa. It is called “monkeypox” because it was first found
in 1958 in laboratory monkeys. Blood tests of animals in Africa later
found that other types of animals probably had monkeypox. Scientists also
recovered the virus that causes monkeypox from an African squirrel. These
types of squirrels might be the common host for the disease. Rats, mice,
and rabbits can get monkeypox, too. Monkeypox was reported in humans for
the first time in 1970.
Is
there monkeypox in the United States?
In early June 2003, monkeypox was reported among several people in the
United States. Most of these people got sick after having contact with
pet prairie dogs that were sick with monkeypox. This is the first time
that there has been an outbreak of monkeypox in the United States.
What
causes monkeypox?
The disease is caused by Monkeypox virus. It belongs to a group
of viruses that includes the smallpox virus (variola), the virus used
in the smallpox vaccine (vaccinia), and the cowpox virus.
What
are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox?
In humans, the signs and symptoms of monkeypox are like those of smallpox,
but usually they are milder. Another difference is that monkeypox causes
the lymph nodes to swell.
About 12
days after people are infected with the virus, they will get a fever,
headache, muscle aches, and backache; their lymph nodes will swell; and
they will feel tired. One to 3 days (or longer) after the fever starts,
they will get a rash. This rash develops into raised bumps filled with
fluid and often starts on the face and spreads, but it can start on other
parts of the body too. The bumps go through several stages before they
get crusty, scab over, and fall off. The illness usually lasts for 2 to
4 weeks.
Can
you die from monkeypox?
In Africa, monkeypox has killed between 1 percent and 10 percent of people
who get it. However, this risk would probably be lower in the United States,
where nutrition and access to medical care are better.
How
do you catch monkeypox?
People can get monkeypox from an animal with monkeypox if they are bitten
or if they touch the animal’s blood, body fluids, or its rash. The
disease also can spread from person to person through large respiratory
droplets during long periods of face-to-face contact or by touching body
fluids of a sick person or objects such as bedding or clothing contaminated
with the virus.
How
do you treat monkeypox?
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox. In Africa, people who got
the smallpox vaccine in the past had a lower risk of monkeypox. CDC has
sent out guidelines explaining when smallpox vaccine should be used to
protect against monkeypox. For example, people taking care of someone
infected with monkeypox should think about getting vaccinated. Contact
your state or local health department for more information.
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