Monkeypox has almost nothing to do with monkeys. Here's why the disease was given its misleading name. (2023)

FAQs

What does the CDC say about monkeypox? ›

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox, including: People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox.

Most monkeypox lesions will not leave a scar behind, but it is possible to have scarring and discoloration. Similar to chickenpox, many lesions may fade over time. But if lesions are picked at, scratched or otherwise messed with, they can leave different types of permanent scars behind.

Urine and feces that contain infectious viral particles may also be a source of infection. It is possible that people with monkeypox can spread it to animals through close contact, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food.

The name monkeypox comes from the virus' discovery in monkeys in a Danish laboratory in 1958, which was before WHO adopted its current method for naming viruses and diseases.

There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox. But because the viruses that cause monkeypox and smallpox are similar, antiviral drugs developed to protect against smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox effectively.

JYNNEOS vaccine is approved for the prevention of monkeypox and smallpox. During the current outbreak, JYNNEOS is the main vaccine being used in the United States.

Researchers who swabbed the rooms for environmental samples found varying degrees of contamination across each surface. Monkeypox viral loads were highest in the patients' bathrooms, particularly on high-touch surfaces such as toilet seats or the control levers of their sink or soap dispenser.

The risk of getting Monkeypox is present in massage, but very, very low.

Monkeypox is a contagious disease that causes a rash. A board-certified dermatologist explains what the rash looks like and when to seek medical care. This contagious skin disease will usually clear on its own, but sometimes dermatologists recommend treating it.

Infected animals can spread Monkeypox virus to people, and it is possible that people who are infected can spread Monkeypox virus to animals through close contact, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food.

How did a dog catch monkeypox? ›

On August 11, the medical journal The Lancet reported that a dog in Paris, an otherwise healthy Italian Greyhound, had caught monkeypox from one of its owners—the first case of a dog contracting the monkeypox virus through direct contact with skin lesions on a human.

Monkeypox virus can infect a wide range of mammal species, including monkeys, anteaters, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, squirrels, shrews and dogs.

After convening a group of global experts on Aug. 8, the WHO decided to rename the two dominant variants of monkeypox. Previously called the Central African or Congo Basin clade and the West African clade, the strains will now be officially called Clade I and Clade II, respectively.

The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals during close contact. Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low.

People usually develop symptoms 5 to 21 days after being exposed to the monkeypox virus. Symptoms typically last from 2 to 4 weeks and may pass through several stages. The rash can be painful and could affect any part of the body, such as the: mouth.

Monkeypox symptoms

The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Q: Can monkeypox cause vision loss or blindness? A: Monkeypox infections that lead to decreased vision or blindness are rare. But, if an infection spreads to the eyes and causes corneal scarring, it can be possible to have decreased vision or vision loss.

If you are eligible, you can make an appointment or find a vaccination site by clicking on the button below, or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692). To get text alerts about vaccination appointments and other MPV updates for NYC, text “MONKEYPOX” to 692-692 or, for Spanish, text "MONKEYPOXESP".

The monkeypox vaccines are free. Providers must give you the vaccine regardless of your ability to pay the administration fee.

Am I immune to monkeypox if I have been vaccinated for smallpox? ›

“Smallpox vaccination can protect you at about 85% from monkeypox infection for about three to five years,” she says. “After that time, its ability to protect you against infection decreases, but experts believe it would still protect against severe illness.”

The gap in the seat is designed to “allow women to wipe the perineal area after using the toilet without contacting the seat,” she tells Slate. Simick notes that the design also benefits men.

Consider using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol after washing hands with soap and water. can in the area where they are isolating. Collect and contain in a sealed bag any soiled waste such as bandages, paper towels, food packaging, and other general trash items.

Monkeypox is a contagious disease that can spread by coming into contact with clothing, bedding, or items used by an infected person. The monkeypox virus can live on certain surfaces up to 15 days, making cleaning, disinfecting, and doing laundry very important in stopping the spread of the virus.

The virus can live on surfaces such as bedding for as long as 15 days. More information and tips about cleaning during and after MPX can be found here.

Key Characteristics for Identifying Monkeypox. Lesions are firm or rubbery, well-circumscribed, deep-seated, and often develop umbilication (resembles a dot on the top of the lesion). During the current global outbreak: Lesions often occur in the genital and anorectal areas or in the mouth.

A person with monkeypox needs to stay home and keep away from other household members to avoid infecting anyone else. They may be told to take over-the-counter medicines for fever, pain, or itching. As with other infections, it is important to stay well hydrated.

Monkeypox symptoms in humans usually start with a general, all-over feeling of being ill. Flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle aches develop. Lymph nodes become swollen. A few days later, a blister-like rash appears that looks like chickenpox.

The fundamental problem is that the area used for releasing urine and faeces is compressed between thighs and buttocks, so we are more likely than other animals to foul ourselves. We also differ from other animals in our response to our waste, which we tend to regard with disgust.

Symptoms of monkeypox in dogs

Lethargy. Crusty nasal discharge. Vesicular (blister-like) skin legions. Nasal and eye secretions.

Can you get monkeypox from a bird? ›

In the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, the disease is being spread from human-to-human, not from birds to humans.

Dogs can get “clogged pores” just like people do, and these may form pimples or blackheads. Facial acne in dogs usually responds well to frequent cleaning with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser. Pimples or blackheads elsewhere can be a symptom of a bacterial skin infection or seborrhea.

The complete range of animal species that can be infected by the monkeypox virus is still not known; other wild and domestic animals (such as dogs and cats) may be susceptible. Additionally, your pet would need to be exposed to a person or animal sick with monkeypox to get the disease.

Since the start of the MPX outbreak and as of 8 November 2022, 20 744 confirmed cases of MPX have been reported from 29 EU/EEA countries, and 62 cases have been reported from three Western Balkan countries and Türkiye.

Worth noting, per the CDC: Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox. Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the CDC explains. It can cause an itchy, blister-like rash that usually appears on the chest, back, and face, before spreading over the entire body.

Chickenpox is what's called 'species specific'. This means it's easily passed person to person (via coughing, sneezing, or contact with burst blisters) but it doesn't travel from people to dogs (or vice versa). It's not difficult to see why some owners might be concerned.

No, dogs can't get lice from humans, and humans cannot get lice from dogs, either. Lice are species-specific, meaning dog lice stay on dogs and human lice stay on humans.

A New Name?: Public health experts have been urging the World Health Organization to come up with new nomenclature for monkeypox, saying the current term evokes racist stereotypes, reinforces offensive tropes about Africa and abets stigmatization that can prevent people from seeking care.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.

Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people.

Can dogs eat apples? ›

Yes, dogs can eat apples. Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber for your dog. They are low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for senior dogs. Just be sure to remove the seeds and core first.

Strawberries are a healthy, low-calorie, sweet treat for your dog, full of antioxidants, high in fiber and vitamin C. Here's a bonus. By giving your dog strawberries, you are also helping him stay healthy in more ways than one.

Condoms (latex or polyurethane) may protect your anus (butthole), mouth, penis, or vagina from exposure to monkeypox. However, condoms alone may not prevent all exposures to monkeypox since the rash can occur on other parts of the body.

FRIDAY, Sept. 2, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Yes, you can get monkeypox at the gym, but there's no need to panic, one expert says. “We have plenty of ways to protect ourselves in this setting,” said Dr. Thomas Giordano, chief of infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

There are several different ways people can prevent monkeypox infection, including avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with a monkeypox rash; not handling or touching bedding, clothing, or towels of a person who has monkeypox; and washing hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, ...

Since the start of the monkeypox (MPX) outbreak and as of 25 October 2022, 20 675 confirmed cases of MPX have been reported from 29 EU/EEA countries. In total, 51 cases have been reported from three Western Balkan countries and Türkiye.

There have been more than 25,000 monkeypox cases in the United States during the current outbreak, and deaths among monkeypox patients are rare.

How do you get a monkeypox vaccine? ›

If you are eligible, you can make an appointment or find a vaccination site by clicking on the button below, or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692). To get text alerts about vaccination appointments and other MPV updates for NYC, text “MONKEYPOX” to 692-692 or, for Spanish, text "MONKEYPOXESP".

Monkeypox virus can infect a wide range of mammal species, including monkeys, anteaters, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, squirrels, shrews and dogs. There has been a single report of sick people transmitting Monkeypox virus to animals (a dog).

Out of more than 57,000 people confirmed to have had monkeypox infections, at least 22 have died, representing a death rate of about 0.04%.

Most cases of monkeypox are mild. Rest and home remedies including sitz baths, topical Vaseline, antihistamines (Benadryl) for itching, and pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), may be all you need to recover.

Monkeypox emergency orders are set to expire, but eradication isn't likely.

Monkeypox symptoms

The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

(See Box 1 for an overview of monkeypox illness, transmission and testing, prevention, and treatment.) In the U.S., the first monkeypox case in the current outbreak was identified on May 18, 2022.

The virus can live on surfaces such as bedding for as long as 15 days. More information and tips about cleaning during and after MPX can be found here.