New Study Shows Monkeypox Spreads Before Symptoms
(USNewsMag.com) – After nearly three years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is in the midst of another outbreak. Monkeypox has been spreading across the US and several other countries. New information indicates why it is being passed along so easily.
British researchers with the UK Health Security Agency conducted a study into monkeypox transmission using contact tracing and other data for 2,746 subjects. The scientists discovered more than 50% of the cases might have been spread before patients experienced symptoms. Doctors previously believed the transmissions happened when they were symptomatic, not before.
However, with the results of the study, scientists now believe the virus could have been transmissible up to four days before patients were aware of any symptoms.
A UK study published by @bmj_latest today found evidence for “substantial” monkeypox transmission up to four days before symptoms appear.https://t.co/krK8YItngp pic.twitter.com/IF8foHc9Is
— BMJ (@bmj_company) November 3, 2022
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health epidemiologist Bill Hanage told CNN that poxviruses, like monkeypox, generally don’t spread until there are symptoms. However, he explained that with sexual diseases, “pre-symptomatic transmission would be possible.”
The British study also determined 95% of the people who contracted the illness were gay men.
If monkeypox is spreading among people who don’t even know they have it, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to get under control. The study was just one of many currently underway. If the others prove the British study true, it could be a huge breakthrough in the quest to understand the virus.
Copyright 2022, USNewsMag.com
