Monkeypox – What to know now
Recently, cases of monkeypox, a rare viral illness, have begun to appear in countries that normally don’t have the virus. Several cases have now been identified in the U.S. – including one in Washington state — in people who have traveled internationally.
Among the first cases to appear was a Massachusetts resident who tested positive for monkeypox after traveling abroad. On May 23, 2022, Public Health Seattle King County reported a case of monkeypox infection in a King County man who had recently traveled to areas where monkeypox has been detected. The man is recovering at home.
Monkeypox, which is not highly transmissible, can enter the body through broken skin, respiratory droplets, or mucous membranes after prolonged, close physical contact.
People who have traveled to Central or West African countries, where the virus is endemic, or to parts of Europe where cases recently have been reported, should watch for appearance of new rashes characterized by sores, bumps or fluid-filled bumps, and contact their health care provider.
Most people recover in two to four weeks, often recovering at home, but the disease can be serious for immunocompromised people, children and pregnant women.
While there are no specific medications to treat monkeypox, there is a vaccine that prevents the development of the disease. Anyone already vaccinated for smallpox also is immune to the monkeypox virus.
For more information on monkeypox, please see the following resources:
