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CDC Raises Monkeypox Alert to a Level 2
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised its monkeypox alert to a level 2: “Practice enhanced precautions.”
“Cases of monkeypox have been reported in Europe, North America, South America, Africa Asia, and Australia,” the CDC announced in its alert.
New @CDCMMWR: people w/ #monkeypox have been identified in the US CDC has initiated an emergency response to monitor & investigate cases. While monkeypox is rare in the US, people w/ unexplained rashes or lesions should contact their health care provider: https://t.co/R9AsxMCuyx pic.twitter.com/u2m38JHz20
— CDC (@CDCgov) June 3, 2022
According to Forbes, the CDC recommends travelers wear a face mask and warn people to avoid close contact with sick animals and people, especially those with skin lesions. They also recommend avoiding eating or preparing meat from wild game or using products derived from wild animals from Africa, such as creams, lotions, and powders.
The CDC reports monkeypox is a rare disease that is a cousin of smallpox. It usually starts with flu-like symptoms before those infected develop a painful rash, skin lesions, and swollen lymph nodes.
In its advisory, the CDC shared the “risk to the general public is low, but you should seek medical care immediately if you develop a new, unexplained skin rash (lesions on any part of the body) with, or without fever or chills.”
