Monkeypox: Signs, Symptoms, and What Parents Need to Know
Monkeypox cases have surpassed 26,000 globally, and the virus has officially made its way to the United States. As of August 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 6,617 monkeypox cases have been confirmed. And while this isn't the first time monkeypox has appeared stateside—two cases of the virus were documented in America in 2021, and in 2003, health experts identified 47 cases of monkeypox across six states—the latest outbreak has been declared a national health emergency to help contain the spread.
While adults have primarily been affected so far, there are now at least five confirmed cases of monkeypox in children. Kids, especially those younger than 8, are at increased risk for a severe case of the disease, and according to the World Health Organization—which has declared the spread of monkeypox to be a public health emergency of international concern—young children have died from monkeypox at higher rates than older individuals.
Bu what exactly is monkeypox—and should you be worried for your family? Here's what you need to know about this rare virus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
On This Page
What Is Monkeypox?
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox?
How Do You Get Monkeypox?
How Long Does Monkeypox Last?
Is There a Monkeypox Vaccine?
Is Monkeypox Deadly?
What's the CDC Level 2 Travel Alert on Monkeypox?
Should Parents Be Worried About Monkeypox?
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What Is Monkeypox?
First discovered in 1958, monkeypox is a rare disease caused by an infection with the monkeypox virus, according to the CDC. The disease is in the same family as smallpox. It causes flu-like symptoms and painful, itchy lesions, and the first human case of monkeypox was reported in 1970.
Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the name will soon be changed to one that is "non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing" because people are making assumptions that the virus is an "African disease." Twenty-nine experts are currently calling the virus hMPXV until a new name is announced.
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox?
The symptoms of monkeypox are typically similar to that of smallpox—including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, and, in sever cases, rashes—though the CDC notes they are milder.
On June 14, however, the CDC released new guidance for identifying cases because recent infections are presenting differently than in the past.
"In the United States, evidence of person-to-person disease transmission in multiple states and reports of clinical cases with some uncharacteristic features have raised concern that some cases are not being recognized and tested," the CDC wrote in new guidance. "Thus far in the U.S. outbreak, all patients diagnosed with monkeypox in the United States have experienced a rash or enanthem."
Monkeypox symptoms to watch for include:
New rash, especially in the mouth or around the genitals or anus—though lesions can occur in other areas
Flu-like symptoms
Pain in or around the anus and rectum, rectal bleeding, and/or feeling the need to pass a bowel movement even though the bowels are empty
Swollen lymph nodes
Backache
General discomfort
Chills
How Do You Get Monkeypox?
While monkeypox remains rare, it's a contagious condition. Large respiratory droplets (through prolonged face-to-face contact) seem to be the main mode of transmission. "Other human-to-human methods of transmission include direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens," says the CDC.
Transmission "occurs when a person comes into contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth)," adds the organization. Animal-to-human transmission may also occur, whether from a bite or scratch or through food consumption.
In the current outbreak, some cases involve men who have sex with other men, and they seem to be related to travel, but it's important to note that anyone can get or pass on monkeypox.
How Long Does Monkeypox Last?
Those infected with monkeypox usually experience symptoms seven to 14 days after infection, says the CDC—thought the incubation period ranges from five to 21 days. The illness itself can last several weeks.
Is There a Monkeypox Vaccine?
While a monkeypox vaccine, which was developed for smallpox, has been approved, the CDC currently only recommends vaccination for some people who may be at higher risk for infection, including known contacts of someone who's been diagnosed with monkeypox infection or someone with probable monkeypox or has traveled somewhere with increased monkeypox activity.
Two monkeypox vaccines—YNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) and ACAM2000—are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can prevent infection. While supply is currently low, more doses will be available in the U.S. soon.
The vaccine, however, "should not be used in people who have some health conditions, including a weakened immune system, skin conditions like atopic dermatitis/eczema, or pregnancy."
Consult with your health care provider to find out if your family is eligible for the monkeypox vaccine.
Is Monkeypox Deadly?
Monkeypox can be deadly; however, the illness usually passes without serious consequence. Infected individuals tend to recover in two to four weeks. Still, it has a reported death rate of 1 percent to 10 percent, according to the World Health Organization, depending on the strain.
What's the CDC Level 2 Travel Alert on Monkeypox?
The CDC has issued a Level 2 travel advisory on monkeypox, which means that anyone traveling should "practice enhanced cautions," including:
Avoid close contact with anyone sick
Avoid close contact with anyone who has skin and/or genital lesions
Avoid contact with dead or live wild animals (including, but not limited to, rats, squirrels, monkeys, and apes.
Avoid eating or preparing meat from wild game
Avoid using products (like creams, lotions, and powders) derived from wild animals in Africa
Avoid sharing clothing, bedding, or medical instruments/tools that have been contiminated or used by sick people or infected animals
Should Parents Be Worried About Monkeypox?
On July 23, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared monkeypox a global public health emergency, and on August 4 the Biden administration followed suit, declaring it a national health emergency.
"We're prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously," health secretary Xavier Becerra said at a news briefing.
Declaring a national health emergency will help set in motion measures and funds to help contain the spread of monkeypox.
"In short, we have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little, and which meets the criteria in the International Health Regulations," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. "For all of these reasons, I have decided that the global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern."
Despite monkeypox being contagious and the advisory to help contain the spread of monkeypox, the CDC says that "risk to the general public is low."
Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is transmitted through prolonged close contact, which the CDC defines as within 6 feet for at least three hours. "It's not a situation where if you're passing someone in the grocery store, you're going to be at risk for monkeypox," Jennifer McQuiston, D.V.M., M.S., deputy director of the Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology at the CDC said.
Still, parents should be aware that monkeypox is spreading globally and in the U.S.
"I think any time there's an outbreak that is ongoing with no evidence of control, I think we should be concerned," Wafaa El-Sadr, M.D., a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York, told ABC News. "I think that's different from being panic-stricken. But I think the continued increase in numbers of cases of monkeypox and continued increase in countries reporting cases is certainly of concern."
It's important that families stay on the lookout for any new rashes or symptoms and contact their health care provider with any concerns.
