(VOVWORLD) -US health officials are working to determine whether the current monkeypox outbreak is caused by a virus that has mutated to make it more contagious or caused by super-contagious events in Europe.
 Microscopic image showing monkeypox virus in a patient's specimen. Photo: Reuters/VNA |
Dr Richard Kennedy, co-director of the Vaccine Research Group at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, said while monkeypox can be fatal, the infection will be mild and clear up after a few weeks for most people.
He says the overall risk for the public is low. “The smallpox vaccine does provide protection against monkeypox. So there are countermeasures available,” Kennedy added.
“It’s not going to be widely available because there are contraindications for it. And a lot of people — at least a third of the U.S. — either has a contraindication or lives with someone who has a contraindication. So you’re not going to see widespread — everybody get vaccinated. There’s no need.”