Introduction
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is similar to smallpox, but much less severe. It is caused by the monkeypox virus and is spread through contact with an infected animal or person. Recently, health experts have issued a warning about the potential spread of monkeypox and have advised people to take certain precautions to protect themselves. This article will discuss the warning and provide advice on what to eat and what to avoid in order to reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox.
Health Experts Just Issued This Monkeypox Warning — Eat This Not That
Health experts have recently issued a warning about the potential spread of monkeypox, a rare viral infection that is similar to smallpox. The virus is spread through contact with infected animals, such as rodents, and can cause a rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. While the virus is not common in the United States, it has been reported in some states, including Texas, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
In order to reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox, health experts recommend avoiding contact with wild animals, especially rodents. Additionally, they suggest avoiding contact with people who have been in contact with infected animals, and washing your hands often. It is also important to avoid eating undercooked or raw meat, as this can increase the risk of infection.
If you think you may have been exposed to monkeypox, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor can diagnose the virus and provide treatment to reduce the severity of symptoms. In some cases, a vaccine may be recommended to prevent the virus from spreading.
In order to reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox, it is important to practice good hygiene and to be aware of the potential risks associated with contact with wild animals. Additionally, it is important to eat only cooked or pasteurized foods, as this can help reduce the risk of infection.
Monkeypox continued to spread globally this week; the viral illness, usually confined to Africa, has been reported in 29 countries, including the U.S. The spread of the virus led health experts just issued a warning about monkeypox this week, along with some caveats. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
“The risk of monkeypox becoming established in non-endemic countries is real,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, this week. “More than 1,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 29 countries that are not endemic for the disease.”
“So far, no deaths have been reported in these countries,” said Tedros. “Cases have been reported mainly, but not only, among men who have sex with men. Some countries are now beginning to report cases of apparent community transmission, including some cases in women.”
In the U.S., more than 30 cases of monkeypox have been reported nationwide.
There are vaccines for monkeypox: The smallpox vaccine is considered 85 percent effective, and a monkeypox-specific vaccine exists. Experts believe that older people who were vaccinated against smallpox decades ago (a routine practice that ended in 1972) may still have robust antibodies against the virus.
But the WHO chief said the agency was not recommending mass vaccination against monkeypox. Instead, he suggested that vaccines be used to protect people who may have been exposed, such as healthcare workers, and for post-exposure vaccination—close contacts of infected people should seek it out within four days of exposure.
Monkeypox is a zoonotic (meaning it jumps from animals to humans) virus endemic to several countries in Africa.
According to the CDC, the symptoms of monkeypox include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fatigue and body aches, followed by a rash that turns into raised bumps and blisters.
Monkeypox spreads through close contact with an infected person, or prolonged contact with items that may contain the virus, such as bedsheets. People with monkeypox are considered most infectious while they have a rash. The incubation period can be seven to 14 days, the CDC says. The disease can last two to four weeks, and most people recover without treatment. A person with monkeypox can be contagious from one day before they develop a rash to 21 days after symptoms appear.
While warning Americans to be aware of monkeypox symptoms, experts have repeatedly said that monkeypox is not another COVID and that most people are at very low risk of contracting the virus.
“For most people, this is not something to panic about or even be alarmed about,” said infectious-disease reporter Apoorva Mandavilli in the New York Times. “It’s something to be aware of so that if you do have symptoms, you immediately seek medical care. You should also know about it if you are around someone who might be infected with monkeypox, or if you’re traveling to countries where monkeypox is known to be circulating. Overall, I’d say inform yourself and be cautious — but don’t panic.”
And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Michael Martin