The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently investigated household surfaces in the home of two people infected with monkeypox. Using PCR testing, the CDC found that over 70% of the surfaces were contaminated. Similarly, researchers from a separate study detected high concentrations of monkeypox on surfaces in infected patients’ rooms. Do these contaminated surfaces increase the risk of transmission?

According to the CDC, monkeypox can survive on surfaces for 15 days. The monkeypox virus is a DNA-based virus and you can kill it with various household disinfectants, UV light, and the like. This is the case with most viruses, and just because monkeypox may exist on a surface for a long time, it doesn’t mean that it can infect another person. In fact, the CDC noted that the virus on those contaminated household items was not able to be cultured. 

Investigators Look At Household Surfaces

Referring to the investigation in the first paragraph, two infected individuals lived together, isolating together for 20 days. Both individuals experienced fatigue and body aches eight days after symptom onset. Only after this 20-day period did investigators perform real-time PCR-confirmed tests of common household items. 

Out of the 30 collected specimens, 21 tested positive for monkeypox. These positive tests came from cloth furniture, blankets, and other porous items. No specimen contained live virus, though. Because of the inability to detect viable viruses, this means that virus viability may decay over time or through chemical/environmental inactivation. 

Hospital Patient Study

For this study, researchers swabbed the surfaces of rooms being used by two hospitalized monkeypox patients in Germany. Bathrooms and adjacent rooms where workers changed out of personal protective equipment (PPE) were also swabbed. Researchers noted that highest viral loads came from surfaces that the infected patients touched directly. These were primarily from the bathrooms, particularly on the toilet seats, levers, and washbasins. Chairs in the patients’ rooms and the fabrics in their rooms (towels, shirts, and pillowcases) contained the virus as well. Researchers also detected the virus on handles of cabinets and major contact points in the rooms where staff changed out of PPE.

Do Contaminated Surfaces Increase The Risk Of Viral Transmission?

The current data on this matter makes it difficult to answer this question with certainty. As of right now, the findings are still unclear about increased viral transmission from contaminated surfaces. That said, it is cause for concern and infected patients should increase cleaning within their households. Additionally, limit contact to communal spaces for at least three to four weeks that people are infectious. 

Similar to the CDC investigation, the German study stated that, although unlikely, infection could potentially occur from coming in contact with contaminated surfaces. Touching these surfaces and then touching mucous membranes could result in transmission. The researchers found no evidence of secondary transmission from contaminated surfaces in the study, though. The primary takeaway from that German study is that, despite high contamination of monkeypox on the surfaces, research did not indicate that infection could occur. 

Does This Information Change How We Approach Monkeypox?

The current research doesn’t change anything regarding the current monkeypox outbreak. It does, however, show that monkeypox can contaminate surfaces in the homes of infected people. Whether or not this leads to infections is still a matter of debate. This is because the virus has to be viable or alive to transmit, and in sufficient quantity to cause infection. As of now, the transmission rate between household members is still below 10% if those household members are not in direct contact with each other. 

SHARE:

The post Can Monkeypox Survive On Surfaces? appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

The United States currently leads the world in monkeypox cases, and national and global numbers continue to rise. Although the virus has predominantly spread among men who have sex with men, some women and children are now contracting the illness. Recently, the first case in a pet was reported. It was an Italian greyhound in Paris, France. 

Due to the fact that there are more than 42,900 cases of monkeypox across 95 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency. The WHO calculated nearly 7,500 new cases in the week prior to August 17, 2022, marking a 20% increase from the previous week. After the United States, Spain has the largest outbreak, with 6,119 cases, followed by Brazil with 3,450 cases. Germany comes in fourth with 3,295 cases, and the United Kingdom with 3,081 cases. 

Before this current outbreak, most human cases of monkeypox came from close contact with infected animals while farming or hunting. Monkeypox is dissimilar to smallpox in that it does not exclusively infect humans. Monkeypox is an orthopoxvirus, which is less discriminating in its host. That means that squirrels, prairie dogs, rats, and groundhogs can be infected.

What Pet Owners Should Know

There are more dogs and cats in the U.S. than the combined human populations of Australia and The U.K. The role that these animals play in the spread of infectious diseases within households has been ignored. Because monkeypox can jump species, health experts want people to think how a human infection affects pets. It gets dangerous when an animal infects another animal, and another, and another. If too many animals contract the virus, they can pass it back to humans in a more altered, vicious form. That’s when you start to see a rapid evolution of the virus, which is the last thing the world needs. If

Earlier this month, the Lancet medical journal published a scientific account of the first human-to-dog monkeypox transmission. The dog was an Italian greyhound in Paris, France, and it caught it from his infected owners by sleeping in their bed. Veterinarians want people to understand that pets show affection for owners. They climb in their bed, lick their faces, nuzzle their skin, and go wherever they go. All of these habits are potential transmission pathways. An infected pet can easily pass the virus to other animals via bites, scratches, feces, or urine.

Concerns About Human To Dog Transmission

Before people get up in arms about a serious monkeypox outbreak in pets, there are a few things to know. A severe outbreak may not result just because one case of human-to-dog infection occurred. Veterinarians just want people to understand that pets, especially dogs, are easily susceptible to monkeypox. Additionally, there is no evidence on paper that reported just how much monkeypox was found in the dog’s DNA. That means that the dog may not have had enough for an active infection. Reports about the dog’s antibodies to monkeypox have not been documented either. 

If People Have Monkeypox, Should They Isolate From Pets?

Anyone with a known infection or suspected exposure should not engage in close contact with their pet. Additionally, anyone who is immunocompromised and living in the same house with an infected person should isolate or leave during the infection period. Any and all animals should be kept in isolation from all other animals and people for at least 21 days after the pet’s first known exposure to the virus. That means no dog park!

Lastly, do not surrender, euthanize, or abandon pets just because of a potential monkeypox exposure. Keep the pets isolated after exposure to keep them and everyone safe from infection. Additionally, don’t bathe or wipe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. If you are infected and cannot be isolated from your pet, make sure to wash your hands or care for them with gloves before and after caring for them.

SHARE:

The post What Pet Owners Should Know About Monkeypox appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Medical misinformation is far from new. In fact, it became so rampant and harmful during the COVID-19 pandemic that the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy had to issue an advisory about it in 2021. Not only does health misinformation threaten public health, but it can also cause mistrust, confusion, and can undermine public health efforts. 

Now, there are many countries around the world dealing with monkeypox. In the United States, monkeypox was recently declared a health emergency, which you can learn more about by clicking here. Because it is a relatively new outbreak and the disease is unfamiliar, monkeypox naturally has conspiracies and misinformation around it. Rumors will kick into high gear and people may or may not believe the information that comes out. As a result, people won’t have the information they need to stay safe. 

Infectious disease experts got together to put an end to the misinformation about monkeypox. Below, you will find myths about the disease that health experts debunked. 

Myth: Monkeypox Is A New Strain Of COVID-19

No, monkeypox is not a new strain of COVID-19. In fact, monkeypox belongs to the smallpox family of viruses, meaning there is no connection to monkeypox and the coronavirus. There is a different transmission and life cycle, so you don’t contract it the same way you contract COVID-19. Monkeypox is not an airborne virus and even though cases are on the rise, it isn’t showing the fatalities that resulted from COVID-19 infection. That said, the signs and symptoms of the virus can be unpleasant and severe. 

Myth: Monkeypox Is A New Disease

This may be the first time in history that people in the United States are learning about monkeypox. In reality, monkeypox has been around for more than six decades. Scientists first learned of the virus in 1958, when two pox-like outbreaks occurred in colonies of research monkeys. It was Dr. Mark Fischer, the regional medical director at International SOS, who said it was first seen in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Until this year, however, most monkeypox cases were limited to a few African countries, where the virus is endemic. 

Myth: You Can Get Monkeypox From A Swimming Pool

Scientists continue to research monkeypox and how it spreads. As of now, it doesn’t seem to be a waterborne virus; rather, it primarily spreads via skin-to-skin contact. It can spread when people touch unwashed linens and clothing previously used/worn by someone with monkeypox. Keeping that in mind, take precautions at the swimming pool. Be aware of what you touch, including towels, clothing, and other objects outside of the pool. The pool itself will probably not give you monkeypox, but coming in contact with an infected person in the pool or around the pool may cause infection.

Myth: Monkeypox Only Affects Gay And Bisexual Men

The current outbreak has symptoms that differ from previously monkeypox outbreaks. Some of these symptoms include genital lesions, anal pain, penile swelling, and rectal bleeding. That said, the symptoms are not limited to these sexual orientations. Some social media users have attempted to claim monkeypox as a “gay sickness,” but this is simply untrue. Anybody can contract monkeypox via close contact. Men who have sex with men without using protection during intercourse do have a higher risk of infection, though. 

Myth: There Is No Treatment For Monkeypox

In most cases, the monkeypox virus is self-limiting, meaning most of the infection resolves itself in about two to four weeks. If diagnosed in the right time frame, there are many treatment strategies to fight against monkeypox. For symptomatic care, experts advise people to hydrate, increase electrolyte intake, and take antipyretics. Antivirals, NSAIDs, paracetamol, and nutritional support are all used to treat fever and pain that can come with infection. Additionally, there are two vaccines available to protect against the monkeypox virus, even though both are not monkeypox specific. They are, however, at least 85% effective against monkeypox. 

Myth: Monkeypox Was Created In A Lab

There are people who love a good conspiracy theory, but this is a big myth. Monkeypox originated in a colony of monkeys studied for research in the late 1950s. Sporadic outbreaks occurred over the years, primarily in the tropical rain forests of Central and West Africa. Currently, it remains unknown if the virus originated in monkeys or if they contracted it from another species. Because several species can carry it, monkeys may not have transmitted the virus to humans.

SHARE:

The post The Myths Of Monkeypox, Debunked By Health Experts appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

President Biden’s health secretary, Xavier Becerra, recently declared the monkeypox outbreak a national health emergency. This is a rare designation, suggesting that the virus represents a significant risk to Americans. This declaration comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency in July 2022. It also marks the fifth national emergency since 2001. 

According to a press briefing, Becerra said, “We’re prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously and to take responsibility to help us tackle this virus.” 

What Does The Data Suggest?

Globally, there are more than 26,000 cases of monkeypox in 87 countries. According to current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the United States leads the world in monkeypox infections, with 6,616 across the country. New York, Georgia, and Washington have the highest rates of monkeypox per capita. The disease has the potential to cause serious illness and five deaths were recorded. 

The WHO’s assessment of monkeypox is moderate on a global scale in all regions. In European countries, however, the risk is very high, but the risk of monkeypox disrupting international travel is low as of now. That said, health experts stated that this virus has the potential to cause serious illness. A coordinated international response is necessary in order to stop transmission and protect the most vulnerable groups. 

Similar to the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, tests are difficult to obtain. Surveillance has also been spotty, meaning that obtaining an accurate amount of cases is difficult. The U.S. Administration has also received a lot of negative attention for not properly educating people in the LGBTQI+ community before pride celebrations in June 2022. According to health officials, people in the LGBTQI+ community seem to be the most at risk for monkeypox infection. LGBTQI+ makes up about 5% of the world’s population, yet they have 25% of the world’s monkeypox cases. 

Is There A Plan Of Action?

President Biden recently named Robert Fenton, an administrator with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as the White House’s national monkeypox response coordinator. Fenton highlighted how the government already scaled up testing services to handle 80,000 tests per week. That number is a massive increase from the 6,000 tests per week that it previously handled. 

The actual number of people being tested is currently at 10% of the capacity. This is why the CDC encourages anyone with a suspected rash that may be monkeypox to get a test. You should be able to schedule a test via your healthcare provider. Quest Diagnostics, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Sonic Healthcare, and Labcorp are among some of the labs testing for monkeypox. The emergency declaration will allow the government the opportunity to find new strategies to get vaccines or treatments more quickly. This effort will greatly benefit impacted communities, or those most at risk. 

Who Is Most At Risk?

Going off the most recent data, it seems that the median age for those who become infected is 36. People who contract monkeypox, however, range from ages 18 to 76. The vast majority of cases has been among people who identify as men who have sex with men. Both gay and bisexual men who have had sex with multiple partners have a higher risk of contracting monkeypox. The CDC advises people who identify with these groups to be on the lookout for rashes or lesions that seem unusual. These rashes can occur anywhere on the body, especially the genitalia. 

With this information in mind, the WHO has stressed that the general public is unlikely to get monkeypox. On August 1st, 2022, however, at least four children contracted the illness in the United States. Children are most likely to get the virus if they come in contact with someone who has it or is at risk. These things can be prevented if all countries with confirmed cases of monkeypox work together to fight the disease. A united effort is the only way to control the outbreak and prevent further spread.

SHARE:

The post U.S. Declares Health Emergency As Monkeypox Spreads appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

European and American health authorities identified several cases of monkeypox within the recent days. Since May 13th, at least 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox have been recorded in 12 countries, including the United States. This is a surprising outbreak of a disease that rarely appears outside of Africa. Additionally, most of the cases appear to be in young men. 

Just what the world needs, the eruption of a rare virus, the monkeypox. Health officials around the world continue to monitor the spread of this virus, looking out for more cases. For the first time, monkeypox seems to be spreading among people who did not travel to Africa. Health officials do stress that the risk to the general population is low. 

What Is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a zoonotic virus that transmits disease from animals to humans. More often than not, cases occur near tropical rainforests, in which animals that carry the virus live. Monkeypox tends to originate in rodents and primates, occasionally jumping to people who tend to live in West Africa, where the disease is endemic. Scientists first identified the illness in 1958, when there were two outbreaks of a “pox-like” disease in research monkeys. The name, monkeypox, stems from that research. The first documented human infection was in 1970, in a nine-year-old boy from a remote area of Congo. 

What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms of monkeypox in humans are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. Beginning with a fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion, monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell. Smallpox, on the other hand, does not cause lymph swelling. The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox tends to be 7-14 days, but it can range from 5-21 days. 

After the initial appearance of the fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face and spreading to other areas of the body. Lesions can progress though the following stages before falling off: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs. The illness lasts between two to four weeks. According to research, monkeypox has been the cause of death in as many as one in 10 persons who contract the disease in Africa. 

How Is The Disease Transmitted?

Transmission is limited among humans, but it can happen through close skin contact, bodily fluids, air droplets, and virus-contaminated objects. Of the recent cases in the U.K. and Canada, for example, most of them were among attendees of sexual health services at clinics in men who have sex with men. In regards to this trend, the regional emergencies director for the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program cautioned, “This is new information we need to investigate properly to better understand the dynamic of local transmission in the U.K. and some other countries.”

How Many Cases Are There Typically?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are thousands of monkeypox infections in about a dozen African countries every year. About 6,000 cases annually are reported from the Congo, with an additional 3,000 cases coming from Nigeria. Because of patchy health monitoring systems, experts suggest that many infected people are not accounted for. Occasionally, there are isolated cases of monkeypox outside Africa, including the U.K. and the U.S. More often than not, these isolated cases result from travel to Africa or contact with animals from areas where the disease is common.

What Is Different About The New Cases?

To date, this is the first time monkeypox appears to spread among people who did not travel to Africa. Again, most of the cases involve men who engaged in sexual intercourse with other men, but health experts do not deem this the sole cause of transmission. Britain’s Health Security Agency said that all of its cases are not connected. This suggests that there are multiple chains of transmission in existence. Infections in Portugal, however, were discovered at a sexual health clinic, where men sought help for lesions on their genitals. 

At the moment, it is possible that monkeypox spreads through sex, but this still remains unclear. In previous documentation, monkeypox has not reportedly spread through sex. It does, however, transmit through close contact with infected people, so transmission via sex is not out of the question. There are many unknowns in terms of dynamics of transmission and the epidemiology of the disease. Health experts need to fill in important gaps with therapeutics and diagnostics and reach conclusions that go beyond addressing the disease.

SHARE:

The post What You Need To Know About Monkeypox appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.