Members of Nebraska’s health community provided information on a virus that is spreading worldwide. The CDC is tracking an abnormal amount of Monkeypox cases across the country. The Monkeypox virus is related to smallpox that was irradiated in the 1970’s. The rash first appeared in monkeys but experts believe it is more commonly spread by rodents. It was first identified in the 1950’s.
Officials have confirmed 84 cases in 19 states. There have been no confirmed cases in Nebraska. There have been 16 cases reported in California and 16 in New York. Illinois reports 10 and Colorado 4. The fatality rate is 1% but no deaths have been reported. A number of people have been hospitalized. The CDC also says the threat of Monkeypox is low but doctors say it is important to know the signs and symptoms.
Dr. Jessica Jones is an infectious disease specialist at Methodist Health Systems and says it can spread several ways. The first is through skin-to-skin contact. Jones says, “Another way is through respiratory droplets. If you are interacting with someone with Monkeypox virus, perhaps six feet and and being with them for a prolonged period of time, perhaps three hours.”
Symptoms can show up 4 to 21 days after exposure but they usually appear in a week to 10 days.
The symptoms are similar to other ailments. Dr. Angela Hewlett, infectious disease specialist at Nebraska Medicine says, “Symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches. People just don’t feel well. The rash actually develops a few days after. As opposed to the classic rash that is covering the body, a lot of these patients that are presenting have just one lesion. Sometimes a handful of lesions, not very many.”
Health officials say the pandemic prepared them well for the possibility of further outbreaks and they are ready to act if necessary. Local health departments will spearhead testing. The long term effects are not known.