Massachusetts man tests positive for monkeypox

By Mike Stobbe | Related Press

NEW YORK — Massachusetts on Wednesday reported a uncommon case of monkeypox in a person who lately traveled to Canada, and well being officers are wanting into whether or not it’s related to small outbreaks in Europe.

Monkeypox is usually restricted to Africa, and uncommon instances within the U.S. and elsewhere are normally linked to journey there. A small variety of confirmed or suspected instances have been reported this month in the UK, Portugal and Spain.

U.S. well being officers stated they’re in touch with officers within the U.Ok. and Canada as a part of the investigation. The U.S. case poses no danger to the general public, and the Massachusetts resident is hospitalized however in good situation, officers stated.

The case is the primary within the U.S. this 12 months. Final 12 months, Texas and Maryland every reported a case in individuals who traveled to Nigeria.

Monkeypox usually begins with a flu-like sickness and swelling of the lymph nodes, adopted by a rash on the face and physique. In Africa, individuals have been contaminated by means of bites from rodents or small animals, and it doesn’t normally unfold simply amongst individuals.

Nevertheless, investigators in Europe say many of the instances have been in homosexual or bisexual males, and officers are wanting into the likelihood that some infections had been unfold by means of shut contact throughout intercourse.

Monkeypox comes from the identical household of viruses as smallpox. Most individuals get well from monkeypox inside weeks, however the illness is deadly for as much as 1 in 10 individuals, based on the World Well being Group.