There are now nine reported or confirmed cases of monkeypox in over a half dozen states, including California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
The CDC says there are vaccines available. In an interview with USA Today, Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, says most cases have been mild and self-limited, and an antiviral wouldn’t be something automatically recommended or administered.
McQuiston warned that monkeypox cases could be mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease and urged people to see a doctor if they are unsure.
The White House is ramping up testing for monkeypox but says it is not currently as much of a concern as COVID-19 and most reported cases have been in Europe.
