The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised “Warning – Level 2” for passengers to “practice enhanced precautions” due to the spread of monkeypox, a rare disease that is a cousin of smallpox.
In its recommendation, the CDC said that the risk to the general public is low, but you should seek medical attention immediately if you develop a new, unexplained skin rash (lesions on any part of the body), with or without fever and chills. “
The CDC has three types of levels that it can issue, as cases have been reported in dozens of destinations. The levels are:
- Watch – Level 1: Practice the usual precautions
- Warning – Level 2: Practice enhanced precautions
- Warning – Level 3: Avoid minor trips
On its website, the CDC has not applied levels to specific destinations, as it does with COVID-19.
PRECAUTIONS LEVEL 2
The CDC has the following recommendations for passengers, as we are at level 2:
- Avoid close contact with sick people, including those with skin or genital lesions.
- Avoid contact with dead or living wild animals. This includes rodents such as rats and squirrels and non-human primates such as monkeys and monkeys.
- Avoid eating or cooking wild game meat or using products obtained from wild animals in Africa, such as creams, lotions and powders.
- Avoid contact with contaminated materials used by sick people, such as clothing, bedding or materials used in healthcare facilities or materials that have come into contact with infected animals.
WHERE IT IS REPORTED FOR A MONKEY STAR
Usually associated with tropical Africa, confirmed cases of monkeypox are now global. The CDC says cases have been reported in Europe, North America, South America, North Africa, the Middle East and Australia.
Here is a list of CDCs with destinations with confirmed cases as of June 6:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- England
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Morocco
- The Netherlands
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Portugal
- Scotland
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Wales
The United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), Spain and Portugal reported the most cases, each with more than 100 as of 6 to 6 June. All other destinations reported less than 100 cases as of June 6th. Click here to see the current map of the CDC’s global epidemic.
SYMPTOMS OF MAYME STORK
There is an incubation period of about seven to 14 days, the CDC said. The initial symptoms are usually flu-like, such as fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness, followed by swelling of the lymph nodes, which help the body fight infections and diseases.
“A feature that distinguishes monkeypox infection from smallpox infection is the development of swollen lymph nodes,” the CDC said.
This is followed by a widespread rash on the face and body, including inside the mouth and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can also spread to the genital areas.
Painful, raised pustules are pearly and full of fluid, often surrounded by red circles. The lesions finally form and go away in two to three weeks, the CDC said.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU GET SICK
The CDC says avoid contact with others first. Other tips:
“If possible, call in advance before going to a health facility. If you can’t call in advance, tell a staff member as soon as you arrive that you are concerned about monkeypox.”
The CDC says you should tell your doctor one of the following, if true in the month before you develop symptoms:
- You have had contact with a person who may have monkeypox.
- You are a man who has had intimate contact (including sex) with other men.
- Have you been to an area where monkeypox has been reported or to an area where monkeypox is more common (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone and Sudan).
If you are sick and may have monkeypox, the CDC says you postpone traveling on public transportation until you get permission from a medical professional or public health official.
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