What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare infection caused by a virus that circulates in some animals in forested areas of Central andWest Africa, but cases recently have been reported in people in multiple countries.
How Does Monkeypox Spread?
The monkeypox virus is closely related to the smallpox virus, which was declared eliminated from the world in 1980. Monkeypox can spread by close contact with an animal or person infected with the monkeypox virus. Human-to-human spread often involves skin-to-skin contactwith a person who has a monkeypox rash, sores, or scabs. Monkeypox can also be spread through respiratory droplets or oral fluids during intimate sexual contact (kissing; oral, anal, or vaginal sex). Contact with fabrics, objects, or surfaces contaminated with the monkeypox virus (such as clothing, bedding, or towels) can also spread infection.
Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox
Common symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, armpits, or groin), back and muscle aches, and fa- tigue, although not all patients with monkeypox experience these flu- like symptoms. Typically, within 1 to 3 daysafter fever occurs, patients develop arash that often appears on the face first, then spreads to other parts of the body and may involve the mouth, vagina, and anus. The rash starts as flat red spots, which become firm, fluid-filled, raised bumps and then turn into scabs that heal over several weeks.
What Is Known About Monkeypox Outbreaks?
Human monkeypox infections are rare. Prior to May 2022, monkey- pox infections that occurred in people living in countries outside of Africa were associated with travel to places with circulating monkeypox (endemic areas) or with exposure to infected animals. However, between May 13 and May 26, 2022, the World Health Or- ganization reported 257 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkey- pox and approximately 120 suspected cases in 23 countries that do not have endemic monkeypox. These monkeypox infections have most commonly occurred in people who self-identified as men who have sex with men. As of June 7, 2022, there have been 35 con- firmed cases of human monkeypox infection across the US.
When to Seek Medical Care
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recom- mends that individuals with symptoms concerning for monkeypox should seek medical care. This includes anyone who (1) traveled to Central or West African countries or other countries with con- firmed cases of monkeypox during the month prior to onset of their symptoms; (2) has had contact with a person with confirmed or suspected monkeypox; or (3) is a man who regularly has close or in- timate contact with other men.
How Is Monkeypox Infection Treated?
There are currently no specific treatments for monkeypox infec- tions. Individuals diagnosed with monkeypox infection should iso- late at home and avoid intimate contactuntil all of their skin lesions have healed. In consultation with the CDC, patients with severe mon- keypox infection or those who are immunosuppressed, pregnant, breastfeeding, or younger than 8 years may be candidates for an an- tiviral medication or antibody treatment (intravenous vaccinia im- mune globulin).
Prevention of Monkeypox Infection
Monkeypox infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with in- fected animals or people or materials used by animals or people infected with monkeypox. There is avaccine that provides some pro- tection against monkeypox; however, it is not currently available for general use.
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Authors: Kristin Walter, MD, MS; Preeti N. Malani, MD, MSJ
Published Online: June 9, 2022. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.10259
Author Affiliations: Senior Editor, JAMA (Walter); Associate Editor, JAMA (Malani); Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor (Malani).
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.
Sources: Harris E. What to know about monkeypox. JAMA. Published online May 27, 2022. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.9499
World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/ item/2022-DON388
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