“There may be some local transmission,” but “we believe the risk to public health is low,” said Jennifer McWiston, who specializes in monkey pox, at a news conference.
The US health authorities urged doctors today to examine for smallpox of monkeys patients who show suspicious symptoms, noting that There may already be transmission of the virus within the community, but the risk to public health remains low.
So far they have been identified 21 cases of the disease in at least 11 States. Patients have been isolated to prevent the virus from spreading, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In total, worldwide, the cases exceed 700.
Most cases in the US are linked to a trip abroad. However, some are associated with other patients within the country, while for one it remains unknown how he became infected.
“There may be some local transmission,” but “we believe the risk to public health is low,” said Jennifer McWiston, who specializes in monkey pox, at a news conference.
No deaths have been reported so far, neither in the US nor in any other country.
Most cases in the United States involve gay men – hence the campaigns to raise awareness of this group of the population – but the disease can affect anyone.
“We are working hard to curb the virus so that the disease does not become endemic, as is the case in many African countries,” McWiston said.
“The US strategy is to detect cases, track their contacts and isolate them,” he said, adding that they should also be vaccinated. Two vaccines have been suggested for monkeypox, ACAM2000 and Jynneos, and there is an antiviral treatment.
“We have enough vaccines to handle the situation,” said Dow O’Connell, of the US Department of Health.
