Mpox spreads to a prison | US News

Mpox, once known as monkeypox, has spread to another area: a prison.

The highly contagious viral disease was detected Tuesday at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility in Iowa, authorities said.

“We are actively addressing the situation with robust health measures,” the Iowa Department of Corrections chief of staff told Local 5.

‘Affected individuals are receiving care and enhanced sanitation and isolation protocols are in place to prevent further spread.’

How many prisoners are infected with mpox?

It is not yet known exactly how many prisoners are infected.

A Justice Department spokesman said the type of mpox found at the facility was clade II.

Clade II is the mpox type that is endemic to West Africa and caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. The disease is “less severe,” with more than 99.9% of patients surviving the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In contrast, clade I, endemic to Central Africa, is responsible for the deaths of 10% of infected people.

What is mpox?

Mpox is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.

Mpox is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Mpox has been found in mammals, including small rodents and monkeys.

The monkeypox virus was first found in monkey colonies in 1958, but its origin has not yet been determined.

What are mpox symptoms?

Patients with smallpox often develop a rash that goes through several stages, including crusting, before healing.

Other symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and low energy.

Smallpox can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, mouth-to-mouth contact, and skin-to-mouth contact.

They can also be passed from a pregnant mother to a child.

Is there a cure for mpox?

“There is currently no specific treatment approved for MPOX,” according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“However, there are several antiviral medications used to treat smallpox and other conditions that may help patients with smallpox.”

There are vaccines to protect against mpox. Some vaccines were used to eradicate smallpox and are approved to treat mpox.

The World Health Organization recommends the MVA-BN or LC16 vaccines.

Where has mpox spread?

Mpox has spread around the world. According to the CDC, there were 99,518 cases in 122 locations as of August 6.

Of the locations with recorded mpox cases, the majority, or 155, had not historically reported mpox. These countries include the US, the UK and all European countries now affected.

Only seven countries have historically reported mpox, all of which are in Central and West Africa.

The first death from monkeypox in the US was reported in Texas in August 2022.

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