Is monkeypox contagious on planes?

Monkeypox is continuing to spread in Europe and North America. The UK health sector is warning there may be some risks associated with air travel.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has just issued a statement on the risk associated with levels of exposure to monkeypox virus.

UKHSA said that the risk of virus transmission is highest through direct contact with the skin, mouth, nose, body fluids, clothing, and bedding of an infected person. The British health sector recommends that exposed subjects should self-isolate for 3 weeks.

People at average risk are sitting next to a case of monkeypox on an airplane, sharing a car or taxi, and being within 1 meter of an infected person without protective gear.

To prevent monkeypox, protective gear includes a mask, long-sleeved gown, gloves and eye protection.

People at moderate risk do not need to self-isolate. However, the British health agency said that this group of people will be provided with the smallpox vaccine, ideally within four days of exposure to the virus.

Smallpox, which was eradicated decades ago by vaccines, is in the same family of viruses as monkeypox. So the scientists say the smallpox vaccine also provides similar protection.

The passengers sit in about 3 rows with the patient monkey pox on aircraft classified as low risk. This group can live a normal life without vaccination as long as they do not have symptoms.

David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK), said that most cases of monkeypox infection are due to physical contact.

Professor Heymann emphasized, it is very rare for surfaces in public spaces to be contaminated with the virus.

“This is a disease that has not been well studied, so we only partially understand it. But I think it is wrong to say that the monkeypox virus is everywhere and it is certainly not transmitted by respiratory droplets the way Covid-19 does,” said Professor Heymann.

An Yen (According to Fortune)