President Biden on Sunday stated the uncommon monkeypox virus that has unfold to non-African nations is “something that everybody should be concerned about” after a Massachusetts man examined optimistic for the possibly severe viral sickness final week.
Monkeypox clusters have been reported within the U.Okay., Spain, Portugal and Canada — which is the place the Bay State man had just lately visited earlier than he was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital and was remoted.
In addition to the case in Massachusetts, New York well being officers have reported that an individual examined optimistic for orthopoxvirus — in the identical household because the monkeypox virus. The affected person is isolating, and affirmation for monkeypox is pending Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing.
Biden whereas in South Korea on Sunday was requested what his well being advisers have advised him concerning the monkeypox outbreaks.
“Well, they haven’t told me the level of exposure yet, but it is something that everybody should be concerned about,” Biden advised reporters. “We’re engaged on it onerous to determine what we do and what vaccine, if any, could also be obtainable for it.
“But it is a concern in the sense that if it were to spread, it’s consequential,” he added. “That’s all they have told me.”
Because monkeypox is brought on by a virus in the identical household as smallpox, the smallpox vaccine can shield folks from getting monkeypox. Epidemiologists additionally imagine that vaccination after a monkeypox publicity could assist forestall the illness or make it much less extreme.
“There is a vaccine that is relevant to treating monkeypox,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan advised reporters. “We have vaccine available to be deployed for that purpose.”
Monkeypox usually begins with flu-like sickness and swelling of the lymph nodes, and progresses to a rash on the face and physique.
The virus doesn’t unfold simply between folks. Transmission can happen by way of contact with physique fluids, monkeypox sores, objects which have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothes, bedding, and so forth.), or by way of respiratory droplets following extended face-to-face contact.
Since final week, instances of monkeypox have been reported to the World Health Organization from 12 nations that aren’t endemic for monkeypox virus. Endemic nations for the virus are in Africa.
“The identification of confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox with no direct travel links to an endemic area represents a highly unusual event,” WHO stated in a press release. “Surveillance to date in non-endemic areas has been limited, but is now expanding. WHO expects that more cases in non-endemic areas will be reported.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”