To date, there have been around 2,000 cases of monkeypox detected in countries where it is not normally recorded. Of these, at least 155 cases are in the United States, 98 percent of which are in men. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been no deaths related to this virus.
Experts met at the panel "How afraid should we be of monkeypox?" organized by Ethnic Media Services, to talk about the symptoms of the disease and the possibility that it could become a pandemic as happened with COVID-19.
The first case identified in the U.S. occurred on May 17 in the state of Massachusetts. The case involved an adult male who traveled to Canada and was treated without needing to be hospitalized.
According to William Schaffner, a professor in the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, "monkeypox clinically resembles common smallpox."
What symptoms should you pay attention to?
Common symptoms of monkeypox include headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and others. A rash also develops on the face, inside the mouth, and genitals. These lesions can be in different phases simultaneously. These symptoms disappear in about three weeks.
The incubation period of the disease is 1 to 2 weeks for the appearance of the first symptoms, which last a couple of days and then give way to the appearance of the rash.
Schaffner said that this virus can cause lesions in the genital area, the buttocks and even the anus, so there may be confusion when making the diagnosis, which is why it is advisable to do a PCR test similar to the one used to detect COVID-19.
It is important that those affected by these symptoms or suspect they may have "monkeypox" go to their health care provider to receive the appropriate tests and treatment.
Is there any way to protect ourselves from monkeypox?
According to Dr. Schaffner, there are two vaccines originally designed to prevent smallpox, however, these also prevent the disease.
The safest vaccine is administered in two doses and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In this regard, he noted that some men have already received the vaccine in New York.
They call to avoid the stigmatization of LGBTIQ+ groups
Monkeypox has symptoms that can be confused with sexually transmitted diseases because, according to Shaffner, monkeypox has been confined to men who have sex with men.
For his part, Gregg Gonsalves, public health correspondent for The Nation, pointed out that there is a notion that it is a disease related to the LGBTIQ+ community.
However, the reality is that it is an endemic condition in Central and Western Africa, which is why she called for avoiding discrimination and stigmatization of LGBTIQ+ groups.
"There is a need to not discriminate, not stigmatize, but at the same time it is important to talk about LGBTIQ+ communities that are familiar with these diseases," because not stigmatizing allows for better communication with public health departments to work with these communities and thus minimize the risk of infection, she explained.
Monkeypox vs COVID-19
Monkeypox is a virus that spreads through close personal contact, Schaffner said, noting that it is usually skin-to-skin through the respiratory tract or from contaminated towels or clothing, so “it is not a virus that spreads widely or rapidly compared to COVID-19.”
"It's very tempting to compare this to the spread of COVID-19 and the changes that we've seen. We don't know if there are other possible mutations that could make the virus more stable or more efficient or more effective at getting into cells through the nasal passages, but it is something that can be very transmissible," said Dr. Neuman, who added that monkeypox is a virus that changes slowly.
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