First Monkeypox Case Detected in Arizona

I know this is a coronavirus pandemic blog, so this us slightly off topic. But I thought readers might like to know that the first monkeypox case has been detected in Arizona here in Maricopa County. Y'know, in case you're feeling like you don't have enough to worry about these days.

Some public health people are concerned about this and I'm not too sure why.  According to the CDC:

Monkeypox spreads between people primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. Monkeypox can spread during intimate contact between people, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, cuddling, or touching parts of the body with monkeypox sores. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

So it sounds hard to pick up without pretty direct contact with an infected person. Also said persons have the rash, so you can avoid contact. It sounds unlike the coronavirus where people can aggressively shed the virus before they show symptoms.

Another CDC page says the disease is typically mild and self-limiting. It is only dangerous to the usual suspects, i.e. people with or at high risk of other severe diseases. 

The disease sounds to me a lot like chickenpox. That is no fun, especially when you get it when older (like I did at 16). But I estimate there is zero chance that it is going to kill me, or even do worse than make me sick for a couple weeks. It's not something I'm going to stay up worrying about.


 

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