U.S. monkeypox cases have more than doubled over the last week to 20, CDC says

The World Health Organization has said that there is a “window” of opportunity to contain a recent monkeypox outbreak which has seen cases spread across Europe, the U.S. and Australia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 20 confirmed or suspected monkeypox cases in the U.S.

The overall health risk to the public is low according to Dr. McQuiston. Most of the U.S. patients had a history of international travel and it's likely that they caught the virus while abroad

McQuiston told reporters that there could be community level transmission that is happening. She encourages physicians to test for monkeypox if they see a rash.

Gay and bisexual men appear to be at a higher risk. According to McQuiston, of the 17 patients that have provided detailed information to the CDC, 16 are men who have had sex with men. The CDC is closing monitoring for all monkeypox cases in the US because anyone can catch the disease.

She said that the priority was to help everyone make informed decisions to protect their health.

There have been no reported deaths from monkeypox in the US or Europe. She said that all the patients have recovered. According to the CDC, the current outbreak is less severe than the other strain of monkeypox.

According to the CDC, 14 of the 17 patients that provided detailed information had a history of international travel. McQuiston said that the other three patients didn't know how they got the virus.

The current monkeypox outbreak is unusual because it is occurring in countries where the virus is not usually found. In remote areas of West and Central Africa, monkeypox can be spread from rodents to humans.

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