CDC Advises Travelers To Wear Masks To Protect Against Monkeypox

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised its warning level on monkeypox and is urging travelers to wear masks.

The new warning comes as there are now 31 confirmed cases of monkeypox in 13 states in the United States. The mask recommendation for travelers has been removed from their website.

Monkeypox symptoms often start out like the flu, but soon after contracting the virus sufferers get a rash and swollen bumps on their body and face, as well as swelling of lymph nodes. The bumps can turn into lesions and leave permanent severe scarring.

“Cases of monkeypox have been reported in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia,” the CDC wrote in its alert. “Some cases were reported among men who have sex with men. Some cases were also reported in people who live in the same household as an infected person.”

But the World Health Organization (WHO) said this week that there had been no deaths from the virus so far. “As of 2 June 2022, there have been no deaths associated within the current monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries, however, cases and deaths continue to be reported from endemic countries,” the agency said on Saturday.

In its warning, the CDC advised that “Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox.”

It also outlined people who may be at higher risk, which include but are not limited to those who:

Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypoxHad skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, this includes men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party)Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoingHad contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)

The CDC also said to “avoid eating or preparing meat from wild game (bushmeat) or using products derived from wild animals from Africa (creams, lotions, powders).”

In addition, the health agency said that “wearing a mask can help protect you from many diseases, including monkeypox.” The CDC has since removed that statement from their website, but they still recommend persons infected with monkeypox wear surgical masks during quarantine to prevent transmission to other members of their household.

Joseph Curl has covered politics for 35 years, including 12 years as White House correspondent for a national newspaper. He was also the a.m. editor of the Drudge Report for four years. Send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @josephcurl.

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