More than 100 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported in 12 countries, including the US

“However I really feel like it is a virus we perceive, we now have vaccines in opposition to it, we now have remedies in opposition to it, and it is unfold very otherwise than SARS-CoV-2” — the virus that causes Covid-19, Jha informed ABC’s Martha Raddatz on Sunday.

“It isn’t as contagious as Covid. So I’m assured we’re going to have the ability to preserve our arms round it,” Jha stated. “However we’ll monitor it very carefully and use the instruments we now have to verify we are able to proceed to stop additional unfold and maintain the individuals who get contaminated.”

Well being specialists say shut contact with an contaminated individual is required to unfold the monkeypox virus.

An infection can develop after publicity to “damaged pores and skin, mucous membranes, respiratory droplets, contaminated physique fluids and even contact with contaminated linen,” based on Neil Mabbott, private chair in immunopathology on the veterinary faculty of the College of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Although specialists say monkeypox shouldn’t be as contagious as Covid-19, President Joe Biden stated everybody must be involved in regards to the unfold of monkeypox — at the same time as scientists work to be taught extra in regards to the latest unfold.

“They have not informed me the extent of publicity but, however it’s one thing that everyone must be involved about,” Biden informed CNN’s Kaitlan Collins as he was departing South Korea on Sunday.

“We’re engaged on it arduous to determine what we do and what vaccine, if any, could be obtainable for it,” Biden stated. “It’s a concern in that if it had been to unfold it could be consequential. That is all they informed me.”

CNN beforehand reported that the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention is evaluating whether or not a smallpox vaccine must be provided to well being care staff treating monkeypox sufferers and different individuals who could also be at “excessive threat” for publicity to monkeypox.

The variola virus that causes smallpox and the monkeypox virus are considerably associated, as they’re each members of the Orthopoxvirus genus — belonging to the scientific household of “pox” viruses. Subsequently, a number of the similar vaccines given to stop smallpox have additionally been proven to stop monkeypox.

Preliminary monkeypox signs are sometimes flu-like, resembling fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weak point.

“A characteristic that distinguishes an infection with monkeypox from that of smallpox is the event of swollen lymph nodes,” the CDC stated.

The painful, raised poxes are pearly and fluid-filled, usually surrounded by pink circles. The lesions lastly scab over and resolve over a interval of two to 3 weeks, the CDC stated.

“We have now a degree of scientific concern about what we’re seeing as a result of it is a very uncommon scenario,” McQuiston informed CNN on Thursday.

“We do not see it in the US or in Europe — and the variety of instances which might be being reported is certainly outdoors the extent of regular for what we’d see,” McQuiston stated.

A high UK well being official informed the BBC on Sunday that folks ought to pay attention to monkeypox — however that the danger to the overall inhabitants “stays extraordinarily low in the intervening time.”

“I feel individuals have to be alert to it,” stated Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser for the UK Well being Safety Company.

“We actually need clinicians to be alert to it and ship the take a look at in the event that they’re involved.”

Hopkins stated primarily based on reviews from Africa, the UKHSA is aware of sure persons are “far more liable to extreme illness, significantly immunosuppressed people or younger youngsters.”

Whereas there may be “no direct vaccine for monkeypox,” Hopkins stated, “we’re utilizing a type of smallpox vaccine or third-generation smallpox vaccine that is secure on people who’re contacts of instances.”