The CDC confirms the first U.S. case of monkeypox in 2022. Massachusetts reported a rare case of monkeypox in a man who recently traveled to Canada. Health officials looked into whether the case is connected to outbreaks in Europe. Monkeypox comes from the same family of viruses like smallpox. It produces smallpox-like skin lesions, but symptoms are usually milder than those of smallpox. Patients typically experience flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, and shortness of breath, and don’t spread easily among people. It’s typically limited to Africa and the U.S, in rare cases. In Africa, people were infected through bites from rodents or small animals. According to the World Health Organization, most people recover from monkeypox within weeks, but the disease is fatal for up to 1 in 10 people.
Monkeypox Investigations and Findings
Recently, a small number of confirmed or suspected cases were reported in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain. U.S. health officials said they’re in contact with officials in U.K. and Canada as a part of an investigation. Although the CDC isn’t sure if there’s a connection with what’s happening in the U.K., they’re preparing for the possibility of new cases.
Currently, the U.S. case doesn’t pose a risk to the public. For now, the Massachusetts resident is hospitalized but in good condition. The patient traveled to Canada at the end of April to meet friends and returned in May. In addition, he used public transportation during his travel. This is the first case of monkeypox this year; however, Texas and Maryland reported cases in people who traveled to Nigeria. In addition, investigators in Europe say most cases have been in gay or bisexual men. They’re looking into the possibility of this being a sexually transmitted disease.
