After Europe, it was America’s turn to get rare monkeypox

The patient is a Massachusetts man, the local health authority on May 18 confirmed. This person contracted the rare virus after traveling back from Canada.

“The patient has been hospitalized and is in stable condition. This person is unlikely to spread the disease to the community,” – Massachusetts Department of Health said.

This is a case monkey pox first recorded in the US in 2022. Last year, the country had 2 cases with one in Maryland and one in Texas, according to the channel. NBC News.

Monkeypox causes blisters to appear on the hands of sick people. Photo: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Since the beginning of May, monkeypox has also been identified in the UK, Spain and Portugal.

Nine cases have been recorded in the UK and the first case was announced on May 7. This is a man who contracted the disease after traveling to Nigeria. Most of the patients were gay or bisexual.

Portugal confirmed 5 new cases of monkeypox and is investigating a total of more than 20 cases. “All the patients are men,” the Portuguese health ministry confirmed.

Spain also issued a national alert on May 18 after 23 people in the capital Madrid showed symptoms characteristic of monkeypox.

Monkeypox is not easily transmitted from person to person. The UK Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says this virus is transmitted mainly through skin wounds, respiratory tract, eyes, nose or mouth, spread through respiratory droplets or bodily fluids.

Monkeypox virus has been found in several animal species, including some monkeys and other rodents. It can also infect humans, but humans are not the natural reservoir for the virus.

“Evidence suggests it is possible that the monkeypox virus is spreading in the community through close contact. We especially urge gay and bisexual men to be aware of any rash or unusual lesions. usually,” said Dr Susan Hopkins, Medical Adviser to the UK’s Health Security Agency.

Monkeypox has been infecting humans since 1970, and most cases are in the Congo and Nigeria. This virus belongs to the Poxvirus family. The disease is usually mild, but in some cases it can be fatal. One in 10 people in Africa who contract monkeypox die from monkeypox.

When the monkeypox virus enters the human body, the incubation period ranges from 5 to 21 days. Then, symptoms appear, including many that resemble smallpox. Examples include fever, headache, muscle pain, and widespread lesions on the skin, which develop pus and rupture.

However, unlike smallpox, monkeypox causes the lymph nodes to swell. Symptoms may persist for more than 4 weeks before recovery but usually disappear after 2 weeks. The affected person’s skin will form a scar due to the injury.

The symptoms of monkeypox can sometimes be confused with chickenpox, syphilis or herpes, the Massachusetts Department of Health notes. However, a distinguishing feature of monkeypox is the fluid-filled blisters known as vesicles on the palms of the hands.