MONKEYPOX AGAIN?

MONKEYPOX by Benjamin Psota design by Abby Smith AGAIN? How the recent outbreak of the monkeypox virus compares to its past outbreaks

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic still in effect, it is clear that people are ready for the chaos to finally come to an end. But just when it seemed that the pandemic was finally coming to an end, another virus broke out and began to spread rapidly. Only this time, it has already been experienced once before. This virus has the nickname “monkeypox” because of the small, pimple-like bumps that form on the skin when the virus is contracted.

Although the virus is spreading rapidly, the chances of being able to easily control it will be much higher. That is because there have already been many different outbreaks in the past, including a smaller outbreak back in the Midwestern United States in 2003. These previous outbreaks have given many people, such as Health Sciences teacher Franchesca Westerfeld, lots of prior knowledge about the virus. “One of the things we need to be aware of with this monkeypox, [is that] this is not a brand new disease, this is a disease that’s been around for thousands of years,” Franchesca said. “We know a lot about this disease, whereas with COVID, that was a brand new thing where none of us had any clue and we were kind of playing catch up with what was going on,” Franchesca said.

With this prior knowledge, scientists and health specialists have already been able to use different treatment options that work against the spread of monkeypox. “We don’t actually have a true treatment for monkeypox, but we have something that we call T-Pox. This is an antiviral medication that was originally used for smallpox, which is in the same family as monkeypox,” Franchesca stated.

Even though we don’t have the exact cure for monkeypox, the T-Pox treatment, along with lots of prior knowledge, is proving to be a big benefit for humans on preventing another pandemic. Human Body Systems student Olivia Mantooth also believes that these factors are going to allow for newer treatments. “I think people could use the prior knowledge combined with the knowledge they have now to maybe create a newer vaccine to help prevent it more,” Olivia said. “I don’t think that with this knowledge we have we will need to take as serious precautions as we did with COVID.”

Now, nobody can predict the future, so what if it does reach pandemic potential? This certainly is a possibility, but Dr. Mandy Dornfeld has her reasons as to why we won’t have to worry as much. “Monkeypox, thank goodness, does not spread through the air, so I do believe it will be managed more quickly than COVID.” Mandy said. “Unfortunately, it will get worse before it gets better, but hopefully it will be quickly managed!”

Now, just because humans have this vital information does not mean they can assume that everything will be okay. But for the time being, a positive outlook is plausible thanks to the years of knowledge humans already have about this virus. Although there is no crystal ball telling the future, there is hope that it will not be as severe as pandemics in the past.

MONKEYPOX OUTBREAKS IN THE UNITED STATES

INFECTION IN 2022

1 to 10 11 to 50 51 to 100

101 to 500 500<

Source: CDC.org