An expert was asked by Chicago media about the possible threat monkeypox – the exotic disease believed to have spread from Africa to the West via sex communities – and offered a reassurance that it was really no big deal, at least compared to COVID-19.
Monkeypox began making headlines this month after it began spreading within the United Kingdom.
Eventually, the monkeypox outbreak in the United Kingdom was linked to Nigeria, and then to a sex convention in the UK. Ultimately, the British government warned gay and bisexual men that the monkeypox outbreak seems to be “spread in sexual networks.” There are now 80 confirmed cases worldwide, including in the United States, and another 50 suspected cases.
CBS Chicago spoke to Kiran Joshi, the “senior medical officer for the Cook County Department of Public Health,” who suggested that, while unpleasant, monkeypox – characterized by “flulike symptoms — so maybe a fever, body aches, perhaps some upper respiratory stuff — and then there’s a rash” – is much less serious than the latest strain of COVID-19.
It’s “something to be concerned about,” the expert told CBS, but she emphasized, “I think the risk to the public from monkeypox is very low.”
“You don’t see these big, big outbreaks of hundreds or thousands of cases,” in contrast to COVID-19, said Joshi.
Apparently there is “a new subvariant, Omicron variant,” that “seems more infectious” than the original or than monkeypox. The omicron variant was characterized by its ability to spread rapidly, and by its generally mild, cold and allergy-like symptoms that often do not require hospitalization.
That new subvariant is apparently named BA.2.12.1. The expert recommended “getting vaccinated, and boosted” to prepare.
While the United States warns about COVID-19, last week the United Kingdom offered a warning to members of its LGBT sex community.
“The evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact,” said British expert Susan Hopkins. “We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.”
