It’s Time to Get More Cautious About Spreading Virus (and We Don’t Mean COVID This Time)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just increased the alert level for monkeypox to 2, indicating that the risk of infection is high enough to warrant wearing a mask while traveling. The virus has been confirmed in this country after previously being reported in Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. While it has been reported that infection has occurred more frequently among men who have sex with men compared with other groups, spread has also occurred among people living in the same household as infected people. University of Saskatchewan virologist noted in an article published by The New York Times that many of the measures proven to be effective against spread of SARS-CoV-2 (social distancing, masking in public, and basic hygiene) can also be expected to be effective in reducing risk for monkeypox. Inquire about recent travel to endemic areas in patients who complain of symptoms that could be attributable to monkeypox—flu-like feelings, followed by swelling of lymph nodes and development of a rash across the body and face.