Local authorities in Dallas, Texas, announced on Friday that a resident who just got back from Nigeria tested positive for monkeypox, a rare virus related to smallpox. Even though this is the first verified case of the virus in the United States since 2003, authorities stressed there is no need for the public to be alarmed.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement from Dallas County’s health department that “although being unusual, this instance is not cause for panic and we do not anticipate any threat to the general public.” The risk of spreading monkeypox via respiratory droplets to others on the planes and in the airports is thought to be low because passengers were wearing masks on the trip and in the airport, according to the health agency.
According to the CDC, monkeypox, which belongs to the same virus family as smallpox, is a rare but potentially fatal viral infection that starts with flu-like symptoms before progressing to a rash on the face and body. The typical duration is two to four weeks. According to the health department, people who do not exhibit symptoms are unable to spread the illness.
The patient has a virus strain that is primarily found in West Africa, which includes Nigeria, according to laboratory testing. According to the CDC, that variant of monkeypox infections kill 1 in 100 people, striking those with compromised immune systems worse.
Six other cases of monkeypox in tourists coming back from Nigeria exist in addition to this one. According to the CDC, it is not thought that this case is connected to any of the earlier ones.
According to the health department’s statement, this is the first case of monkeypox to be documented in Dallas County. The patient is stable and is presently being treated in isolation at a hospital in Dallas. According to the CDC, it is collaborating with regional health authorities to get in touch with passengers and other people who came into contact with the sick traveler on flights from Lagos, Nigeria, to Atlanta on July 8 and Atlanta to Dallas on July 9.
Monkeypox was last observed in the United States in 2003. According to the CDC, imported African rats infected farm dogs, who then infected humans, leading to the illness of close to 50 individuals. This sparked a government search for contaminated prairie dogs across 15 states.
Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Dr. Phillip Huang said there is no need for concern despite previous cases of the illness. In the health department’s statement, he said, “We have assessed that there is very little risk to the general population.” We are only a plane journey away from any global infectious illness, which is another example of the significance of having a solid public health system.