How to Protect against Monkeypox
2022-08-01
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1The fast-spreading monkeypox virus led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a "public health emergency of international concern" this month.
2WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement, "the outbreak has continued to grow, and there are now more than 16 thousand reported cases from 75 countries and territories, and five deaths."
3He added: "We have an outbreak that has spread... through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little."
4In recent years, the health agency has issued such declarations on COVID-19, Ebola, and the Zika viruses.
5The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that monkeypox is part of the same virus family as smallpox.
6Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 among groups of monkeys used for research.
7The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970.
8The virus spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person.
9Until this year, the viral disease has rarely spread outside Africa.
10But reports of new cases in Europe and other places signaled that the outbreak had spread around the world.
11Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder.
12Most patients only experience fever, aches, and tiredness.
13Some may develop a rash with cuts on their face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body.
14The sickness usually lasts two to four weeks.
15The virus can spread from person to person through direct contact with the infectious rash, sex with an infected person or contact with their clothes or bedding.
16A pregnant woman can also pass the virus to her fetus.
17Unlike the SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox does not spread easily over the air.
18Anyone can spread the virus, but the current outbreak outside of Africa appeared to spread mainly among men who have sex with men.
19Health officials from several countries urged the WHO to declare monkeypox a public health emergency as the disease spread quickly in the past month.
20From June to July, the WHO reported that cases of monkeypox had increased from 3,040 to more than 16,000.
21The number of countries with infections have also gone up from 47 to 75.
22Officials were especially concerned that the disease has spread quickly among people who did not travel to Africa where the disease is endemic.
23That means it has become permanently established in an area.
24The emergency declaration usually brings more resources and action to deal with the outbreak.
25It also pushes countries to work together on testing and producing vaccines and treatments for the disease.
26For now, the WHO said the risk of monkeypox is "moderate" around the world, except in Europe where it listed the risk as "high."
27CDC health officials advise that people should avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
28They say:
29Do not touch, hug, kiss or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
30Do not share utensils for eating or drinking
31Do not touch bedding or clothing of an infected person.
32And wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
33In Central and West Africa, the CDC says people should avoid contact with animals that can spread the monkeypox virus, such as monkeys and rodents.
34And they should also avoid sick or dead animals.
35At this time, health officials are still learning whether children and people with existing health problems are more at risk of the disease.
36If you are sick with monkeypox, health officials say you should remain isolated.
37There is no cure for monkeypox.
38However, the CDC says monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.
39U.S. and European health officials say antivirals, such as tecovirimat, may be given to people who are more likely to get severely sick.
40That group includes patients with weakened immune systems.
41Health officials in Europe and the U.S. have also recently announced that they will send out monkeypox vaccines to affected communities.
42The two-shot vaccine is being manufactured at Bavarian Nordic's plant in Denmark.
43I'm Caty Weaver.
1The fast-spreading monkeypox virus led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a "public health emergency of international concern" this month. 2WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement, "the outbreak has continued to grow, and there are now more than 16 thousand reported cases from 75 countries and territories, and five deaths." 3He added: "We have an outbreak that has spread... through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little." 4In recent years, the health agency has issued such declarations on COVID-19, Ebola, and the Zika viruses. 5How dangerous is monkeypox? 6The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that monkeypox is part of the same virus family as smallpox. 7Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 among groups of monkeys used for research. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. The virus spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person. 8Until this year, the viral disease has rarely spread outside Africa. But reports of new cases in Europe and other places signaled that the outbreak had spread around the world. 9Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder. Most patients only experience fever, aches, and tiredness. Some may develop a rash with cuts on their face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body. The sickness usually lasts two to four weeks. 10The virus can spread from person to person through direct contact with the infectious rash, sex with an infected person or contact with their clothes or bedding. A pregnant woman can also pass the virus to her fetus. 11Unlike the SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox does not spread easily over the air. 12Anyone can spread the virus, but the current outbreak outside of Africa appeared to spread mainly among men who have sex with men. 13Why is it an emergency? 14Health officials from several countries urged the WHO to declare monkeypox a public health emergency as the disease spread quickly in the past month. 15From June to July, the WHO reported that cases of monkeypox had increased from 3,040 to more than 16,000. The number of countries with infections have also gone up from 47 to 75. 16Officials were especially concerned that the disease has spread quickly among people who did not travel to Africa where the disease is endemic. That means it has become permanently established in an area. 17The emergency declaration usually brings more resources and action to deal with the outbreak. It also pushes countries to work together on testing and producing vaccines and treatments for the disease. 18For now, the WHO said the risk of monkeypox is "moderate" around the world, except in Europe where it listed the risk as "high." 19How to protect yourself 20CDC health officials advise that people should avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. They say: 21Do not touch, hug, kiss or have sex with someone with monkeypox. 22Do not share utensils for eating or drinking 23Do not touch bedding or clothing of an infected person. 24And wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. 25In Central and West Africa, the CDC says people should avoid contact with animals that can spread the monkeypox virus, such as monkeys and rodents. And they should also avoid sick or dead animals. 26At this time, health officials are still learning whether children and people with existing health problems are more at risk of the disease. 27Treatment 28If you are sick with monkeypox, health officials say you should remain isolated. 29There is no cure for monkeypox. However, the CDC says monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections. 30U.S. and European health officials say antivirals, such as tecovirimat, may be given to people who are more likely to get severely sick. That group includes patients with weakened immune systems. 31Health officials in Europe and the U.S. have also recently announced that they will send out monkeypox vaccines to affected communities. The two-shot vaccine is being manufactured at Bavarian Nordic's plant in Denmark. 32I'm Caty Weaver. 33Hai Do wrote this report for VOA Learning English with information from the WHO and the CDC. 34_______________________________________________________________________ 35Words in This Story 36mode -n. a particular way something is done 37transmission - n. the process by which something is spread 38fever -n. a body temperature that is higher than normal 39ache - n. a pain that is not sharp but continues for a long time 40rash -n. red spots on the skin that are caused by an infection or a reaction to some substance 41utensil - n. device used at home or kitchen 42sanitizer - n. things used to make something free from infection, disease 43isolated - adj. separated from others 44_______________________________________________________________________ 45Have you heard of monkeypox? We want to hear from you. 46We have a new comment system. 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