21 Americans Infected With Monkeypox, C.D.C. Reports

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: New York Times

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 21 monkeypox cases in 11 states, and the numbers are expected to rise, officials reported on Friday. Genetic analysis has revealed that while most of the cases appear to be closely related to the outbreak in Europe, two patients have versions of the virus that seems to have evolved from a monkeypox case identified in Texas last year. Of 17 patients for whom the agency has detailed information, all but one were among men who had sex with men; 14 had traveled to other countries in the three weeks before their symptoms began.

Three patients were immunocompromised. C.D.C. researchers have not been able to identify how one patient in an unnamed state acquired the virus. That suggests there is ongoing community transmission at least in that state and possibly others, Dr. Jennifer McQuiston of the C.D.C. told reporters. “We want to really increase our surveillance efforts,” she said. Health officials have identified a total of about 400 contacts of 13 patients who also risk becoming infected with monkeypox. Identifying contacts at risk will help officials determine what resources are needed to contain the outbreak. So far, health officials have delivered about 1,200 vaccine doses and 100 treatment courses to eight states, according to Dr. Raj Panjabi, the White House’s senior director for global health security and biodefense.

Monkeypox’s toll worldwide rose sharply this week, to nearly 800 cases as of Friday. The spread of the virus to at least 31 countries outside Africa, where it is endemic, has raised alarm among scientists and public health officials. Health officials in some countries are asking anyone who tests positive for monkeypox to isolate at home. Britain, which has recorded the most cases, has urged patients to abstain from sex until their symptoms have cleared, to use condoms for eight weeks after that and to limit interactions with pets and other animals, which may become infected.

As the outbreak expands, health officials worldwide are rushing to gather vaccines and treatments to protect infected people and their close contacts. The options are severely limited. The United States is among the few countries to have stockpiled millions of doses of vaccines and drugs for smallpox as a precaution against its return. Monkeypox is closely related to smallpox, and the vaccines and drugs are expected to be about as effective. In theory, at least two drugs and two types of vaccines are available to combat a monkeypox outbreak, but most of these have been tested primarily in animals.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/health/monkeypox-vaccine-treatments.html

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Here in Philly, they reported a first possible case yesterday (so far the only one in PA).

[madville]

1. I actually got the smallpox vaccine in 2016

It says it maintains most of its effectiveness for 3-5 years but still offers significant protection for 20 years or more!

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I know my smallpox vax was done in the '60s. lol

I think they know those old ones are mostly useless although there was a possibility there was a tiny bit of effectiveness left.

[wnylib]

8. '50s for me, so no protection here.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. We're screwn

[wnylib]

10. My father grew up on a dairy farm.

The smallpox vaccine didn't "take" on him. He had already developed immunity from being around the cows.

I don't know how long that immunity lasted. With smallpox declining and then being eliminated in his lifetime, he was not exposed to it anywhere to test the life of his acquired immunity.

I don't suppose that my childhood visits to the farm would have given me an immunity. Too infrequent, and not enough exposure to the cows thrmselves on those visits.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Well something that I haven't seen given about the individuals who contracted it

was what their ages were (although I haven't hunted for any updated details recently). I guess one could assume most may have been under 50 or so, but it would be interesting to see if there were any who were previously vaccinated (whether older 50+ age individuals, current/former military or travelers who had a more recent vaccination but not in years, etc.) and how any infection manifested in those folks.

[LonePirate]

2. Here we go again. Nature is coming for the human species.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. And don't forget that "suspicious" Hepatitis going around in young children

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/27/health/who-hepatitis-update/index.html

[brooklynite]

5. Monkeypox is spread by direct skin to skin contact rather than aerial droplets.

People who may be at higher risk might include but are not limited to those who:

Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox

Had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, this includes men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party)

Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing

Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/index.html

[BumRushDaShow]

6. The most common exposure has been through animal bites - and in the U.S., notably exotic pets

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2920658

But I think people continue to confuse "respiratory droplets/aerial droplets" with "aerosolization" which is 2 different things. It doesn't "aerosolize' like the coronaviruses but can be expelled in large droplets that don't go very far.

[Bones1]

7. Nature

It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature.