Rochelle Wallinsky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said.
“This has raised concerns that some cases will go undetected,” she said, asking the public and healthcare professionals to exercise extra vigilance. Existing cases do not always present with influenza-like symptoms (fever, etc.) that usually precede the appearance of the rash characteristic of this disease.
1300 cases worldwide
Also, while these rashes usually appear all over the body, many existing cases are limited to certain areas. “It is important to know that monkeypox cases can resemble certain sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes, and therefore can be misdiagnosed,” said Rochelle Wallinsky.
The US has 45 cases, double last week. No deaths have been reported. As of June 9, about 1,300 cases have been identified worldwide.
Transmission requires close and prolonged contact between two people. The United States is counting in particular on vaccinating contact cases to stop the epidemic.