The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently confirmed the first case of monkeypox in the United States. This came after reports over the weekend that a Dallas resident was infected with monkeypox.
Where did monkeypox patient travel?
Both the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services said the Texas resident, who is from the United States, traveled from Texas to Nigeria. He now has a confirmed case of monkeypox.
- The person reportedly took two flights on the way back to Texas. He traveled from Nigeria to Atlanta, and then from Atlanta to Dallas.
- It’s unclear when he discovered he was sick with monkeypox. But he is currently hospitalized in Dallas as officials try to contact those who made close contact with him on the flight out of fear that the virus has spread, according to The Hill.
Should you worry about monkeypox?
There may be a reason to worry about the virus. Per the CDC, the strain of monkeypox can be fatal in about 1 in 100 people. However, rates can be higher among those who have weak immune systems.
- “Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body,” the CDC said in its statement.
As I wrote for the Deseret News, symptoms for monkeypox often include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
How do you treat monkeypox?
According to the CDC, “there is no proven, safe treatment for monkeypox virus infection.”
- However, the United States can control a major outbreak using smallpox vaccine, antivirals, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG), according to the CDC.