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Monkeypox
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Monkeypox
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Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that occurs mainly in the rain forest countries of central and west Africa. However, in June 2003, monkeypox was reported in prairie dogs and humans in the United States. These cases represent the first community-acquired monkeypox reported in the United States.
Monkeypox is caused by Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the orthopoxvirus group of viruses. Other orthpoxviruses that cause infections in humans include variola (smallpox), vaccinia (used for smallpox vaccine), and cowpox viruses. Monkeypox can spread to humans from an infected animal through an animal bite or direct contact with the animal’s lesions or body fluids. The disease also can be spread from person to person, although it is much less infectious than smallpox.
In humans, the signs and symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox, but usually milder. Unlike smallpox, monkeypox causes swollen lymph nodes. The incubation period for monkeypox is about 12 days. The illness begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, a general feeling of discomfort, and exhaustion. Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after onset of fever, the patient develops a papular rash (i.e., raised bumps), often first on the face but sometimes initially on other parts of the body. The lesions usually develop through several stages before crusting and falling off. The illness typically lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. Studies of human monkeypox in rural central and west Africa – where people live in remote areas and are medically underserved – have reported case-fatality ratios of 1% to 10%.
As of June 12, a total of 64 persons with suspected monkeypox have been reported in Wisconsin (21), Illinois (12), Indiana (28), Ohio (2), and New Jersey (1). These cases are under investigation by the local and state health departments in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In Ohio, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is involved in investigating the sale and distribution of exotic animals. Based on preliminary investigations, it appears that most of the patients became ill after having close contact with infected prairie dogs that had been purchased as pets. Traceback investigations have found a common distributor of exotic pets where prairie dogs and Gambian giant rats were housed together in Illinois. The Gambian rats were shipped to the United States from Ghana, Africa, which is one hypothesis by which monkeypox is thought to have spread to the United States.
Additional information on monkeypox can be found at the following websites or by contacting the health department.
Basic Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Press Releases
Information for health care providers/laboratory workers
Monkeypox Infections in Animals
Links for Additional Information
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