We’re weeks (maybe days) away from another global pandemic — but at least this time they gave the new virus a funny name.
Late last week it was confirmed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that the U.S. now has its first case of Monkeypox.
Yes, you read that correctly.
The transmissibility of monkeypox is still unknown, but a doctor from Massachusetts General Hospital said there is currently no public risk: “This is a very rare disease with a historically low transmission rate around the world,” Dr. Paul Biddinger said.
The adult male patient remains in isolation and is currently in good condition, according to the hospital.
Health officials are currently attempting to locate individuals that might have come into contact with the patient when he was infectious. Biddinger also reportedly urged the public to be aware of symptoms and what to look out for in relation to monkeypox.
Like Coronavirus, the symptoms of Monkeypox initially resemble that of the flu — fever, cold sweats, body aches, etc. The patient reported swelling of his lymph nodes and a slight rash on multiple parts of his body. The disease is typically found in Africa and spreads through direct contact with the infected animal. The case in Massachusetts differs from previous cases as it seemingly was transmitted through human-to-human contact.
Defined by the Infectious Disease Bureau for the Boston Public Health Commission, Monkeypox is spread via direct contact defined by “respiratory droplets and prolonged face-to-face contact, as well as direct contact through lesions or indirect contact through contaminated bedding or, sort of, clothing contaminated with the lesions.”
In other words, exactly how every other virus spreads.
Earlier this month the U.K. government confirmed its own case of monkeypox spurring a mini outbreak across other European Nations. Several confirmed cases in Spain and Portugal have popped up since the United Kingdom announced the virus was present near London. So far, 14 total cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the U.K., Spain, and Portugal.
The rumblings about Monkeypox should be closely monitored as this is exactly how the China Virus pandemic came about. The timing couldn’t be better either as Democrats are bracing themselves for a historic trouncing come November.
author: Sebastian Hayworth
