PA has 161 reported cases of monkeypox. Here’s what to know about the disease, symptoms
There are now at least 161 cases of monkeypox in Pennsylvania, the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.
As much as half of those cases are in Philadelphia, where cases continue to rise, according to WHYY.
Through its monkeypox tracker, the city of Philadelphia reports 1,613 doses of the vaccine have been administered, with Philadelphia receiving 2,625 vaccines to date through Aug. 1.
Here’s what to know about monkeypox, its symptoms and how it spreads.
You can see a map of cases of monkeypox in the U.S. below, sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Note: This graphic will automatically update as new data become available.
What is monkeypox?
With cases now exceeding 5,800 nationwide and more than 23,000 worldwide, more public health officials are sounding the alarm about monkeypox.
While it isn’t as easily spread as COVID-19 – nor as fatal – the infection can be dangerous and painful for some.
Monkeypox is a rare disease triggered by infection by the monkeypox virus. The virus is part of the same family as variola virus, which causes smallpox, according to the CDC.
Though symptoms are similar to those smallpox exhibits, monkeypox is milder and rarely fatal.
How does monkeypox spread?
The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, which can include hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as through the sharing of bedding, towels and clothing.
U.S. cases to date have mainly been men who have sex with men, though health officials note the virus can infect anyone and should not be stigmatized.
Per the CDC, monkeypox spreads in different ways and can spread person-to-person through:
Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids
Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex
Touching items that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
It’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
The illness typically lasts two to four weeks.
People who do not have symptoms cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids, according to the CDC.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
According to the CDC, symptoms of monkeypox can include:
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
Respiratory symptoms like sore throat, nasal congestion or cough
A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
Is monkeypox curable?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, there are two vaccines against monkeypox: ACAM2000 and JYNNEOS.
These vaccines are used to prevent monkeypox infection and can be used for post-exposure vaccination. Post-exposure vaccination prevents infection in a known exposed person, like those who have come in contact with someone with monkeypox.
You can be vaccinated up to 14 days after exposure.
Most patients have mild illness and require no treatment, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Primarily the treatment, when necessary, is supportive but there is an antiviral, called Tecovirimat, that treats monkeypox.