Utah is now the fourth U.S. state to investigate suspected cases of monkeypox after two people fell ill with symptoms of the disease following international travel, state officials reported Monday.
Officials in the state said the two grown-ups — whose names have not been revealed— live in the same house in Salt Lake County and start feeling a “mild illness” shortly after returning from abroad. They are now in isolation, and there is “no risk” of wider transmission.
It was not revealed where the individuals had returned from, but the Department of Health said it was an area “currently experiencing monkeypox cases.”
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A total of five confirmed or suspected cases of the virus — normally limited to West or Central Africa — have now been detected in America. One case has been confirmed in Massachusetts, while infections are still being probed in New York City and Florida.
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Globally, more than 100 cases have been detected across at least 16 countries — mostly in Europe — with a disproportionate number among gay and bisexual men.
World Health Organization chief Dr. David Heymann warned Monday the outbreak was likely sparked by a “random event” that may be explained by risky sexual behavior at two mass events in Europe.
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Several cases have been seen in individuals who attended the annual pride festival that drew 80,000 people in Gran Canaria, Spain, and in people who went to a fetish festival in Antwerp, Belgium.
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It comes after President Joe Biden aimed to assure Americans over the monkeypox outbreak, saying vaccines and treatments were available. It was a considerable departure from yesterday when he said “everyone” should be concerned about the spread of the virus.
White House COVID response coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha has cautioned the U.S. to prepare for more monkeypox cases to be identified.
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Monkeypox is a virus that generally causes fever, swollen glands, and muscle aches within the first five days of infection. An infectious rash then appears on the face before spreading to other areas of the body.
It is mostly passed on through physical contact with painful skin lesions but can also be transmitted through droplets in the air. Scientists warn patients are infectious for as long as they have symptoms — which can be up to four weeks.
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In many cases, the infection is mild and clears up following treatment. Still, scientists say the strain beginning the current outbreak is fatal in about one in 100 cases — a similar fatality rate to when COVID first emerged.
There is no specific monkeypox vaccine available, but officials can use a jab against smallpox — a similar virus — to treat patients. This can be administered when someone is exposed to the virus to ramp up their immunity.
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