Is Monkeypox A Threat To The State Of Texas?

Could we be looking at another pandemic? 

Just Watch

Right now you can take a deep breath. Monkeypox is certainly something that Texans need to keep an eye on, but it is far from a big threat. The reason for any concert at all is that the World Health Organization has declared it a "World Health Emergency". This is the second time that Monkeypox has earned this designation, but fortunately the spread has been somewhat slow.

So Why The Emergency?

Right now the outbreak mostly confined to the Democratic Republic Of The Congo but has been called a public health emergency of international concern (there have been reported cases in Canada as well). The current rate of infection has risen 77% with around 16,000 reported cases. Any one who knows how exponential growth works could tell you that something could be brewing.

What's It Look Like?

Monkeypox is not a pretty thing. Fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, backache, headache, sore muscles and fatigue are just part of what you fill feel. The rash is really bad and goes from raised spots to fluid filled blisters that eventually scab over. It's rare to die from the disease but you could have a terrible two to four weeks to get over it without treatment.

The Good News

First off, most Americans have had a smallpox shot and it has shown some promise in preventing Monkeypox. Monkeypox is also usually transmitted by animal bites and scratches, or by transmitting fluids with an infected person, or for instance, using the same bedding as them. All of this is to say, if you keep your distance from people and animals that are infected, you should stay disease free.