(RxWiki News) Texas health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed a case of monkeypox in a traveler.
The traveler is a United States resident who had recently come from Nigeria to the US. The CDC said the person was hospitalized in Dallas, Texas, after the case was confirmed July 15.
The CDC said in a press release that it was working with health officials and the airline that carried the passenger to contact other travelers and anyone else who might have been exposed.
A viral illness, monkeypox is extremely rare but can spread through respiratory droplets and contact with an infected animal. As it turns out, COVID-19 restrictions like mask wearing might have helped to reduce the risk of the virus spreading in this case.
"Travelers on these flights were required to wear masks as well as in the U.S. airports due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," the CDC said in a press release. "Therefore, it’s believed the risk of spread of monkeypox via respiratory droplets to others on the planes and in the airports is low."
Most monkeypox infections last for between two and four weeks. Early symptoms of monkeypox infections include swelling of the lymph nodes and flu-like illness, which progresses to a rash on the face and body. The virus is related to viruses like smallpox but tends to cause a less severe illness.
After testing, the CDC determined that this particular case of monkeypox was caused by a virus strain that is typically fatal in 1 percent of people. The CDC noted that infections can be more deadly in people who have weakened immune systems.
This is not the first case of monkeypox reported in an international traveler. The CDC noted that there have been at least six other cases in travelers returning to Israel, the United Kingdom and Singapore. The case in the UK resulted in local spread to several other people.
At this point, the risk to others appears to be low. However, if you are feeling any symptoms similar to flu symptoms or concerned about your health for any reason, it's always a good idea to speak with your health care provider.
