Few monkeypox cases locally

SANDUSKY — While still dealing with the impact of COVID-19, Americans are facing a new microscopic foe: monkeypox. Monkeypox's effect during the current outbreak has been far less severe, and far less deadly than COVID. Only two people have died from the viral disease out of more than 25,000 cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection. With that many cases, less than one in 10,000 Americans has contracted the virus. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans have contracted COVID-19, and more than a million have succumbed to it. Locally, only two cases of the disease have been reported and no deaths have been recorded, according to the Erie County Health Dept. Some initial reports described monkeypox as a sexually transmitted disease, but, "anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk," according to the CDC. What is monkeypox? "Monkeypox is a viral disease that is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox," according to an Erie County Health Dept. fact sheet. It has similar symptoms to smallpox, though far less severe. Monkeypox isn't anything new. The first case was detected in 1958 in monkeys kept for research. The first human case appeared 12 years later. What to look for Flu-like symptoms can develop out of a monkeypox infection with a rash developing one to four days later, according to the fact sheet. Before healing, the rash will turn into scabs. Rashes may appear near the genitals, hands, feet, face, mouth or chest. How is it spread? Monkeypox can be spread multiple ways. It can spread through sexual contact, but there are many other forms of transmission, including: • Close, personal skin-to-skin contact, including direct contact with an infected person's rash, scabs or fluids. • Close contact with infected objects such as towels, clothing and bedding. • From a pregnant mother to her unborn child. • Being scratched by, or eating an infected animal. "A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the onset of symptoms until the rash has fully healed and a new layer of skin has formed," the fact sheet states. "This can take 2-4 weeks." How can I prevent a monkeypox infection? • First and foremost, to avoid getting monkeypox, a person should avoid close contact with a person who has a monkeypox rash, or a rash that looks like monkeypox. • Not touching items an infected person has used or touched is another key to avoiding the disease. • Frequently and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water helps people avoid many ailments, including monkeypox. It is especially important to wash your hands before eating, touching your face and after using the bathroom. Currently there are two vaccines available. "People can be vaccinated after known or presumed exposure to someone with monkeypox," according to the CDC." The JYNNEOS vaccine was developed to protect against both smallpox and monkeypox, according to the CDC. The other, ACAM2000, is approved to help prevent smallpox. It has also been made available to help prevent monkeypox. This vaccine, though, is not recommended for pregnant women, children less than one year old and those with certain health conditions that cause a weakening of the immune system.