Oh come on...now there are cases (plural) of Monkey Pox
https://news.yahoo.com/first-monkeypox-case-u-identified-205654247.html
https://news.yahoo.com/monkeypox-rare-virus-now-confirmed-030715841.html
QuoteAlso late Wednesday, the CDC informed Fortune that the United Kingdom had notified the U.S. of eight individuals who may have been seated near an infected U.K. traveler when they flew from Nigeria to London from May 3-4. Of the eight, one is no longer in the U.S. and another was not a contact, the health agency said.
"The remaining six are being monitored by their respective state health departments," the CDC said in a statement. "None of these six travel contacts have monkeypox symptoms, and their risk of infection is very low."
I just want to go on record and say that neither I nor E. Monkey had anything to do with this outbreak. :eek1:
Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on May 19, 2022, 05:46:32 PMI just want to go on record and say that neither I nor E. Monkey had anything to do with this outbreak. :eek1:
I did not think that...but...now that you mentioned it I am glad you denied any association. :clownshoes:
I haven't been following this too closely, but saw a bit about more and more infections being found.
My understanding is they think a vaccine could be developed from a smallpox vaccine. On the other hand for years now I've been hearing concerns about lacking the ability to produce smallpox vaccine quickly if it was needed. I don't know how valid those concerns are, as the whole thing is over my head.
From the photos of those infected it looked to be similar to Smallpox.
Confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox, the smallpox-like virus that spreads through contact with an infected animal or human, have cropped up around the world this month.
A day after a case was reported in Massachusetts, New York City reported a possible case.
One could say that two cases in U.S. isn't even something to give a second thought. My own is Massachusetts to NY makes it eyeball worthy because that's quite a spread for two lonely single cases.
This is being 'said' (grain of salt) that it looks to be the most important outbreak in the history of monkeypox in the Western Hemisphere.
The last time the Western Hemisphere saw a monkeypox outbreak of this magnitude was in 2003 when the U.S. identified 47 cases. But those patients had been in contact with infected pet prairie dogs, and none died.
What is currently unknown is precisely how the virus is spreading this time. And in so many places.
So that's two in US, Canada two, investigatimg 17 more. U.K. has nine cases that have been detected. As of Thursday, Italy has confirmed one case, Portugal has confirmed 14, and Spain seven, along with 22 suspected cases. France reported a suspected case. Australia has one case in Melbourne and a probable case in Sidney.
That's a pretty odd spread in a single month for a diaease that rarely leaves the African continent.
So, what we're facing right now seems to be at least a subset of cases that don't have any history of travel to one of those countries in Africa where the monkeypox virus naturally occurs, and also don't report any exposure to someone who has been diagnosed with it.
Now some emerging issues end up becoming benign in the end. Other ones escalate. But as it is currently being viewed as an emerging issue people should keep it top of mind at the moment.
There are two main strains: the Congo strain, which is more severe – with up to 10% mortality – and the West African strain, which has a fatality rate of about 1%.
I've not yet seen data as to whether what we're seeing now is one of those two. Might be. Might be a new strain which might even be less of a problem. On the other hand we don't have enough data to make pronouncements of any kind. I will be warey of anyone who doesn't have the humility to say anything but 'we don't yet know'.
I do know Britain is offering a smallpox vaccine to some healthcare workers and others who may have been exposed, as a handful more cases were confirmed in parts of Europe.
Interestingly there are now animals that are sick or that have been found dead in areas where monkeypox is occurring. Again, may turn out to be little or nothing, but on the other hand if one finds oneself in those areas take more caution in handling ill or dead animals and their bedding.. as well as extra hand disinfection.
The current known incubation period is seven to 14 days.
Initial symptoms are typically flu-like, such as fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness, followed by swelling in the lymph nodes, which help the body fight infection and disease.
From emerging info I'm seeing 'currently' those swollen lymph nodes may be one of the first identifiers that might get one thinking 'hey, maybe this isn't a flu after all'.
We may need to keep our eyes on this for awhile.
Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on May 19, 2022, 05:46:32 PMI just want to go on record and say that neither I nor E. Monkey had anything to do with this outbreak. :eek1:
Right, I think if either of us had been involved, we'd all know it by now. :smiley_devil:
"A new viral outbreak is testing whether the world has learned anything from COVID."
So far I would say so!! It's the current way they are communicating to we the public the current information known and/or currently suspected and/or appears to be on this matter!
because:
"During the West African Ebola outbreak of 2014, American experts had to quell waves of undue paranoia, which likely contributed to the initial downplaying of the coronavirus. Now, because the U.S. [and around the world] catastrophically underestimated COVID..."
Oh heck yeah it did!!
"...that many Americans [and around the world] are panicking about monkeypox and reflexively distrusting any reassuring official statements." "I don't think people should be freaking out at this stage," Carl Bergstrom of the University of Washington told me, "but even I don't trust my own gut feelings anymore, because I'm so sick of all this shit that I tend to be optimistic."
I am watching this evolve and am, so far, seeing much better communication with us.
to wit:
Updated information: "it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear."
"Monkeypox is usually a mild viral illness,
"While no treatment has been tested and shown to be safe and effective, doctors may use a number of..."
"scientists do not expect the outbreak to evolve into a pandemic"
"one to three days after a fever sets in, people may develop a rash"
"The current cases of monkeypox seem to be genetically related to the variant that spreads predominantly in West Africa, and is less fatal"
"Monkeypox generally runs its course, resolving on its own, over a period of two to four weeks"
"Cases of the virus are popping up in Europe and the United States, suggesting the smallpox-related virus is spreading locally rather than popping up due to travel to countries where the virus is endemic"
"people may develop a rash"
"It's uncommon to see this number of cases in four countries at the same time"
"Monkeypox, then, is a test of the lessons that the world has (or hasn't) learned from COVID. Can we better thread the needle between panic and laxity, or will we once again eschew uncertainty in a frantic quest for answers that later prove to be wrong?"
Hear hear!!
According to Live Science (https://www.livescience.com/monkeypox-outbreak-europe?utm_source=SmartBrief&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=368B3745-DDE0-4A69-A2E8-62503D85375D&utm_content=9254A7C8-D6EC-4B1F-8958-AE308236C21E&utm_term=61c33ae2-2800-403f-a156-2fb2dc357549), only one of the seven initial UK cases were linked to travel. That's significant in that monkey pox cases outside of Africa are practically unheard of except when linked to travel to Africa or animal export from Africa.
Also, this quote:
QuoteIn anticipation of potential spread to the U.S., the CDC may issue an alert to health care facilities, and in particular, clinics that treat sexually transmitted diseases, to be on the lookout for potential monkeypox cases, McQuiston told STAT.
Sexually transmitted disease? It's a poxvirus like small pox and it spreads in much the same way as small pox (on objects like blankets, for example), and is not specifically sexually transmitted, but the cases in the UK were all among gay or bisexual men despite most of the cases not being linked in any other way to each other and the cases in Spain were initially reported as sexually transmitted disease, as well.
As much as I'm not interested in yet another infectious disease to worry about, I am excited to see how this turns out. Independent clusters of monkeypox is weird enough and presenting as sexually transmitted is of further interest, but where did it come from?? Has it been dormant in these areas and now essentially waking up? Is it really tied to gay/bisexual men or is our sample size just too small for an accurate picture? This is freaking wild.
It isn't something to panic over just yet, but this is really atypical, so it's hard to tell how widespread this could become. We've already surpassed what is normal. I just wonder if we have surpassed what is known by those in the know.
Quote from: Mr. E. Monkey on May 20, 2022, 09:23:49 AMQuote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on May 19, 2022, 05:46:32 PMI just want to go on record and say that neither I nor E. Monkey had anything to do with this outbreak. :eek1:
Right, I think if either of us had been involved, we'd all know it by now. :smiley_devil:
:smiley_crocodile:
Orf is a contagious zoonotic pox virus that mainly affects sheep. If just one sheep gets Orf, they all get Orf. I'm not surprised therefore that Monkey Pox is spreading. I'd rather not be covered in Pox, but otherwise I'll not be losing any sleep over it :panic:
At this point I am also not too concerned about this any more than a measles out break or chicken pox hotspot. In other words I will keep my distance if I encounter any such case. Not chicken pox is highly contagious but monkey pox is not likely to be as virulent.
That said the CDC says this about the spread of monkey pox (that said YMMV):
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/transmission.html
QuoteTransmission of monkeypox virus occurs when a person comes into contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth). Animal-to-human transmission may occur by bite or scratch, bush meat preparation, direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated bedding. Human-to-human transmission is thought to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets generally cannot travel more than a few feet, so prolonged face-to-face contact is required. Other human-to-human methods of transmission include direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/05/20/monkeypox-is-not-going-to-spread-like-wildfire-after-massachusetts-case-smallpox-vaccine-can-protect-people/
At this point there is about 100 cases positively ID'ed world wide.
Not something I will lose sleep over but like the annual influenza outbreaks I iwll continue to take reasonable hygiene precautions...i.e. wash my hands before eating and use hand sanitizer as appropriate.
Here we go again? Just thinking ahead in the event this does become pandemic and vaccinations are recommended, or mandated. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC2323604
QuoteIn these studies, we tested the efficacy of topical PIO administration as a means to reduce virus shedding from the skin following traditional smallpox vaccination. This topical agent was highly effective at reducing or eliminating infectious virus on the skin surface and on the bandages used to cover the vaccination site.
QuoteDespite proper instruction and care of the vaccination site, contact spread of vaccinia virus and ocular infections continue to be a problem among vaccinated military personnel [38]. This has led to secondary and even tertiary transfer of the virus in rare instances
QuoteAnother potential use for topical antivirals may also be as a form of primary prophylaxis by administering ointment on exposed skin of medical personnel or predisposed individuals with atopic dermatitis if they inadvertently come into contact with a recently vaccinated individual. Although washing with soap and water is typically recommended, some detergents (data not shown) and commercial soaps [41] perform poorly at inactivating vaccinia virus. Because PIO administration is generally well tolerated, application of this antimicrobial ointment may be useful for treating other orthopoxvirus infections besides vaccinia. If smallpox were to be released during a bioterrorism event, PIO could be administered directly onto the skin lesions of the patients in order to reduce the risk of fomite spread in the hospital or clinic and/or during transport to designated quarantine sites. This may also be a useful approach to treating monkeypox patients during outbreaks that continue to occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo and possibly other neighboring countries [42, 43]. In this setting, PIO represents an affordable method for reducing virus transmission while at the same time helping to prevent secondary bacterial infections during the pustular stages of disease.
And this abstract: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275665559_Smallpox_vaccine_ACAM2000_Sites_and_duration_of_viral_shedding_and_effect_of_povidone_iodine_on_scarification_site_shedding_and_immune_response
Just in general, PVP-I is a good choice for a SHTF antiseptic regardless.
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342483118/figure/tbl1/AS:919095910346752@1596140949454/Summary-of-the-antimicrobial-activity-for-povidone-iodine-polyhexanide-chlorhexidine.png)
Some good news for those previously vaccinated against smallpox.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nm1273
QuoteMore than 100 million Americans have received a smallpox vaccination, and a question arising from this report is: how might protective immunity against monkeypox relate to protection against smallpox? With smallpox extinct in nature, it is not possible to determine the key immunological requirements for full protection in humans. Monkeypox, however, serves as an informative surrogate for smallpox in that it is a human pathogen capable of inducing lethal infections in 4–25% of those afflicted and smallpox vaccination is cross-protective. We examined the immune responses and clinical outcome of subjects infected with a West African strain of monkeypox, which may or may not show the same mortality rates observed in previous monkeypox outbreaks. Many factors have a role in monkeypox-induced mortality, including the strain of virus involved, the
route of infection, the age, nutritional status, immune status and vaccination status of the host, and access to sophisticated medical care13. Here we identified five vaccinated subjects who contracted monkeypox and three vaccinated subjects who showed full protection against the onset of monkeypox-induced disease. Although this sample size is too small to make concrete statistical estimations, it broadly suggests that almost half of vaccinated individuals (3 of 8) maintain long-term protective immunity against monkeypox.
Notably, previous analysis of vaccinia-specific antibody levels in 4300 vaccinees showed that B50% have neutralizing antibody titers of Z1:32 (ref. 14), which prior reports suggested would provide fully protective immunity against smallpox. In a study involving 4300 subjects, the overt smallpox attack rate (i.e., clinical disease symptoms after exposure) was 68.8% among unvaccinated contacts, compared to only 3.2% in vaccinated contacts. Notably, 55% (78 of 142) of vaccinated household contacts had clinically inapparent smallpox infections, indicative of preexisting, fully protective immunity. The main (albeit speculative) point of this current study is that our findings are consistent with what would have been predicted by this much larger previous report and show that some level of protective immunity probably exists in contemporary subjects who have received smallpox vaccination in the distant past.
Double vaccinated here, as a young child and again in boot camp.
I got a lot of vaccines as a kid, but I don't remember most of them.
I know I got one for Hepatitis (b and c, I think), but I'm not sure if I ever got the smallpox vaccine. I probably did but I just can't remember it because I was a kid and have forgotten a lot of stuff since then.
Quote from: Crosscut on May 22, 2022, 01:16:53 PMJust in general, PVP-I is a good choice for a SHTF antiseptic regardless.
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342483118/figure/tbl1/AS:919095910346752@1596140949454/Summary-of-the-antimicrobial-activity-for-povidone-iodine-polyhexanide-chlorhexidine.png)
^^^^ ---- This bears repeating...
A large bottle of PVP-I @ 10% is less than $10. Smaller bottles are available for less.
https://www.amazon.com/Dynarex-D1415-Povidone-Iodine-Solution/dp/B005R8580M/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3NQFDOXOBRLU7&keywords=povidone+iodine+10%25+solution&qid=1653337876&s=hpc&sprefix=Povidone+Iodine+10%25%2Chpc%2C101&sr=1-6
BTW do not use PVP-I after its expiration date.
https://gobad.tips/does-povidone-iodine-go-bad/#Does_povidone_go_bad?
Vaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised.
Quote from: Raptor on May 23, 2022, 03:37:40 PMA large bottle of PVP-I @ 10% is less than $10. Smaller bottles are available for less.
https://www.amazon.com/Dynarex-D1415-Povidone-Iodine-Solution/dp/B005R8580M/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3NQFDOXOBRLU7&keywords=povidone+iodine+10%25+solution&qid=1653337876&s=hpc&sprefix=Povidone+Iodine+10%25%2Chpc%2C101&sr=1-6
BTW do not use PVP-I after its expiration date.
https://gobad.tips/does-povidone-iodine-go-bad/#Does_povidone_go_bad?
PVP-I was one of the solutions tested in the DoD's Shelf-life Extension Program
(https://i.postimg.cc/3rpqm13R/slep-some.jpg)
But that is under ideal storage conditions.
Quote from: Anianna on May 23, 2022, 07:34:23 PMVaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised.
And the recently vaccinated could pose a threat to them from the live virus shedding from the vaccination site.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2323604/
QuoteOne concern with traditional smallpox vaccination is inadvertent spread of virus to atopic or immunocompromised contacts. To reduce this risk, we tested the ability of povidone iodine to inactivate infectious virus at the vaccination site beginning at 7 days after transcutaneous smallpox vaccination. This ointment rapidly inactivated virus on the skin without reducing neutralizing antibody titers or antiviral T cell responses. Moreover, there was no delay in healing/eschar separation following povidone iodine application. Together, this indicates that administration of an antiviral/antimicrobial cream can effectively block virus shedding after traditional smallpox vaccination and reduce the risks of autoinoculation or contact spread.
Quote from: Anianna on May 23, 2022, 07:34:23 PMVaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised.
Because of course they are. Great...
Though at least it sounds like having had the smallpox vaccine might help.
Disclaimer!
While I'm loosely keeping data current and feel there's an anomaly in this oddly global outbreak I'm yet to see much medical data supporting anything other than just be aware at this time.
I also like levity so to that end I offer a different perspective.
Unfair monkeypox labeling must stop before our image goes from Curious George to Typhoid Mary (https://news.yahoo.com/unfair-monkeypox-labeling-must-stop-100035563.html)
- Rex Huppke, USA TODAY
Thu, June 9, 2022, 4:43 PM
Dear rude humans of the world:
As a monkey and a representative of the Global Foundation for Monkey Brand Management, I hereby request you immediately stop referring to the orthopoxvirus that has begun spreading around the world as "monkeypox."
Your scientists gave it that name in 1958 when a pox-like disease broke out among monkeys at a research facility in Copenhagen. But we in the broader monkey community were never consulted, and now that this particular viral zoonosis is dominating headlines both domestically and abroad, we feel the monkeypox label is doing irreparable harm to our brand, which is, generally, "cute little fellas up in the trees, eating bananas and whatnot."
We are cute. We do love both bananas and trees. And we are definitely not the face of some dreadful pox.
Quote from: Mr. E. Monkey on May 24, 2022, 08:17:45 AMQuote from: Anianna on May 23, 2022, 07:34:23 PMVaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised.
Because of course they are. Great...
Though at least it sounds like having had the smallpox vaccine might help.
I'm not sure if I was vaccinated for smallpox as a child. I was born around the end of smallpox eradication and I recall the vaccine being offered but not required and some kids getting it and some didn't. I was a military kid and lived overseas, so maybe there's a better chance that I'm among the kids who did get it. My dad has no idea where my immunization records are and Walter Reed lost my childhood medical records many years ago.
Between Covid rates not falling as expected, flu flaring out of season, hepatitis outbreaks, measles outbreaks (can't get that vaccine, either), and monkey pox, I think I'm just going to find an island somewhere and live out the rest of my life as a recluse, my only connection to the world being drone deliveries from the mainland.
Quote from: Anianna on June 10, 2022, 10:25:13 PMQuote from: Mr. E. Monkey on May 24, 2022, 08:17:45 AMQuote from: Anianna on May 23, 2022, 07:34:23 PMVaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised.
Because of course they are. Great...
Though at least it sounds like having had the smallpox vaccine might help.
I'm not sure if I was vaccinated for smallpox as a child. I was born around the end of smallpox eradication and I recall the vaccine being offered but not required and some kids getting it and some didn't. I was a military kid and lived overseas, so maybe there's a better chance that I'm among the kids who did get it. My dad has no idea where my immunization records are and Walter Reed lost my childhood medical records many years ago.
Between Covid rates not falling as expected, flu flaring out of season, hepatitis outbreaks, measles outbreaks (can't get that vaccine, either), and monkey pox, I think I'm just going to find an island somewhere and live out the rest of my life as a recluse, my only connection to the world being drone deliveries from the mainland.
If you got the smallpox vaccine, you'll have a scar. It does NOT go away. I am 65 and mine is still on my arm.
Quote from: Lambykins on June 11, 2022, 11:53:00 AMQuote from: Anianna on June 10, 2022, 10:25:13 PMQuote from: Mr. E. Monkey on May 24, 2022, 08:17:45 AMQuote from: Anianna on May 23, 2022, 07:34:23 PMVaccines for pox viruses are generally contraindicated for the immune deficient and immune compromised.
Because of course they are. Great...
Though at least it sounds like having had the smallpox vaccine might help.
I'm not sure if I was vaccinated for smallpox as a child. I was born around the end of smallpox eradication and I recall the vaccine being offered but not required and some kids getting it and some didn't. I was a military kid and lived overseas, so maybe there's a better chance that I'm among the kids who did get it. My dad has no idea where my immunization records are and Walter Reed lost my childhood medical records many years ago.
Between Covid rates not falling as expected, flu flaring out of season, hepatitis outbreaks, measles outbreaks (can't get that vaccine, either), and monkey pox, I think I'm just going to find an island somewhere and live out the rest of my life as a recluse, my only connection to the world being drone deliveries from the mainland.
If you got the smallpox vaccine, you'll have a scar. It does NOT go away. I am 65 and mine is still on my arm.
Percutaneous is not the only method of delivery for smallpox vaccines, so not having a scar still isn't necessarily an indicator.
Although, when I went to look up if the other options were available in the 70s (there was another option), I did find that a new smallpox vaccine specifically designed for those with compromised immune systems was approved by the FDA in 2019. I'll have to look into that more. It is stockpiled in the government's emergency reserves. I'll have to see if it's an option for me.