The first case of monkeypox in the United States this year is reportedly in Massachusetts.
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A Massachusetts resident contracts the disease after a trip from Canada
A male resident from Massachusetts tested positive for the disease and officials said he recently came back from a trip to Canada. According to AOL, the state’s Department of Health said the man didn’t pose any risk to the public and currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
“The case poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition. DPH is working closely with the CDC, relevant local boards of health, and the patient’s health care providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patient while he was infectious.”
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Hospital officials also said they are unaware of any reported monkeypox cases in Canada and they do not know where the male patient caught the disease.
What is monkeypox and where does it come from
Recently, nine cases of monkeypox were reported in the United Kingdom since the beginning of May. One way to contract the virus is when an infected animal bites or scratches a person. However, another way to contract the virus is by hunting wild animals or making bush meat to eat.
The disease can spread from person to person by respiratory droplets but it would have to be in close proximity. Symptoms are fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Monkeypox does not occur naturally in the United States as it is more common for travelers to catch it. In 2003, 47 cases were reported in the United States after the patients came in close contact with an infected prairie dog in Ghana.
Last year, a monkeypox case was reported in Texas and a Maryland resident also contracted the disease in November 2021. Both patients contracted the disease after returning from Nigeria.
Twitter users are paranoid about the disease and fear another pandemic.
If monkeypox spreads, I think I’m leaving medicine. I’m not exposing myself to a disease with 10% mortality because this country of selfish fucks refuses to mask or get vaccines when they’re available.
Make whatever health choices you want. My choice will be to leave.
— Jaferdian, M.D. (@JAFERDIAN) May 18, 2022
Fun facts about monkeypox virus:
1. Monkeypox is transmitted by aerosols, direct, & indirect contact
2. Experimental aerosols do not replicate conditions IRL
3. Poxviruses are DNA viruses & stable in the environment
4. Hospitals already use airborne precautions with monkeypox https://t.co/qgy4qUZ7yS— Dr. Angela Rasmussen (@angie_rasmussen) May 18, 2022
Everyone worried about Monkeypox: don’t be. It’s not a new pathogen that has just crossed the species barrier, we understand it, we even have a vaccine for it – completely different ballgame. The only concern is public health’s ability to respond which <looks around> fair enough.
— Dr. Marianne Inglis🪟🌬🍃🇫🇷🇬🇧🇦🇺 (@Amalgamquietude) May 18, 2022
I really don’t have the strength to add “avoiding monkeypox” to my 2022 😕
— Covid is Airborne in schools (@AugersMonster) May 18, 2022