“U.S. Health Official Is Optimistic on Containing Monkeypox Virus”

Return to Vaccination News Home Page

Subscribe to the Vaccination NewsLetter

View past & current Scandals (columns by Sandy Mintz)

Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Dr. Julie L. Gerberding said Thursday that she thinks that the monkeypox outbreak can be contained in the United States by tracing infected animals and isolating humans. She noted that the CDC is aggressively investigating the animal sources linked to the outbreak. The disease is believed to have come into the country via a Gambian giant rat from West Africa, and was transmitted to prairie dogs sold as pets. Health officials are investigating 87 cases in six states, with 20 confirmations of viral infection, and Gerberding says that all cases are thought to have resulted from exposure to infected pets; person-to-person transmission does not seem to have occurred. According to Gerberding, at least 20 of those exposed to monkeypox have been given smallpox vaccinations, since these can also protect against monkeypox.

Return to Vaccination News Home Page

DISCLAIMER: All information, data, and material contained, presented, or provided here is for general information purposes only and is not to be construed as reflecting the knowledge or opinions of the publisher, and is not to be construed or intended as providing medical or legal advice. The decision whether or not to vaccinate is an important and complex issue and should be made by you, and you alone, in consultation with your health care provider.