With the rise in cases of the new monkeypox virus, which has caused alarm in the United States, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, doctors are mobilizing to understand the causes. After confirming on the World Health Organization's website that anyone in close contact with an infected person is at risk, public health doctors agreed with this statement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also issued some helpful recommendations that align with the British National Health Service and the World Health Organization.
Among these recommendations are avoiding contact with individuals recently diagnosed with the disease or those who may be infected, as well as wearing a mask during close contact with someone displaying symptoms. It is also advised to avoid touching animals that may carry the virus, including sick or dead ones, especially those with a history of infection such as monkeys, rodents, and prairie dogs, while ensuring proper hand sanitation.
It is crucial to use personal protective equipment when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected infections and to consume only properly cooked meats. New information suggests the possibility of monkeypox transmission from surfaces and materials; therefore, avoiding contact with items that have come into contact with sick humans or animals is essential. According to doctors, the virus can survive on items like blankets, so it’s important to wash clothes and bedding regularly at high temperatures.
In the event of infection, recommendations emphasize the need to isolate the individual and consult a doctor until the virus passes, noting that the disease is usually mild and most people recover within two weeks to a month.
