The U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday confirmed a rare case of human monkeypox was detected in Texas.
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2-4 weeks. Monkeypox is in the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes a milder infection.
According to CDC, the virus was detected in a U.S. resident who recently travelled from Nigeria to the US. The U.S resident is currently hospitalised in Dallas.
The CDC says it’s currently working with the airline and state and local health officials to contact airline passengers and others who may have been in contact with the patient during two flights: Lagos, Nigeria, to Atlanta on July 8, with arrival on July 9; and Atlanta to Dallas on July 9.
