Officials Say Monkeypox Milder in U.S.

By DANIEL YEE : Associated Press Writer
Jun 20, 2003 : 8:32 am ET

ATLANTA -- Monkeypox cases in the United States appear to be milder than those in central Africa, but federal health officials aren't sure why.

"It's still something we don't have an answer to," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It may be we have better overall supportive care. There are a lot of unknowns."

In Africa, monkeypox sufferers have had more pronounced symptoms of the virus, which include rashes, chills and fever. The disease on that continent also has been transmitted by contact with another person; transmission in the United States has been limited to contact with animals.

Africa reports a mortality rate of 1 percent to 10 percent for monkeypox; no one in the United States has died, though a dozen people have been hospitalized.

Three new U.S. cases were confirmed Thursday: one in Missouri and two in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has seen the highest number of cases, nine confirmed and 30 suspected.

The CDC said at least 87 people in six states have shown symptoms associated with monkeypox, which is similar but less severe than smallpox. Besides Wisconsin and Missouri, the other states with cases under investigation are Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kansas.

Of the 87, the CDC said 20 cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests.

Health officials in Kentucky and Arizona also have reported suspected cases.

The CDC will review the overall response to the outbreak, Gerberding said.

"We may have been able to initiate (control steps) earlier," she said. "It's something we want to look at to make sure we take the steps as quickly as possible."

Editor's note: CDC monkeypox info: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox