The monkeypox outbreak is continuing to spread across the country, with more than 6,300 confirmed cases—including five children—in the U.S. as of Wednesday.
New York City, California, Illinois, and other cities have declared state of emergency. The World Health Organization declared the spread of the viral disease an emergency worldwide.
Experts recommend that anyone living with someone with monkeypox take precautions to prevent further spread. This includes keeping the infected person out of the kitchen, and having them remain in an isolated space such as a bedroom.
If possible, they should use paperware or plasticware to dispose of the food they eat. Experts recommend that they wear gloves and a mask to collect any items and wash them immediately.
If someone has a monkeypox, sharing towels, clothes, and sheets can spread the virus. The virus is most easily spread by close physical contact.
Nearly everyone who has monkeypox develops a rash. Experts said that other symptoms include headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph glands. It can last up to four days.
You may experience severe pain from the virus. “I can’t even describe it. It feels like broken glass,”Gabriel Morales said that to The New York Times. However, Monkeypox is less contagious than COVID-19 and more likely to cause death. However, young children and those with immunocompromised may be at greater risk of contracting the disease.