US increases testing for monkeypox; 142 cases are confirmed
Key Takeaways:
- To hasten detection for those who may have the virus, which has already infected at least 142 people in the US.
- The condition, widely observed in parts of central and west Africa, starts with flu-like symptoms before progressing to a rash on the face and body.
- Monkeypox typically goes away within a few weeks, but according to the World Health Organization, up to 1 in 10 sufferers pass away.
In an effort to expedite diagnosis for suspected infections of the virus that has already infected at least 142 people in the US, the Biden administration has begun distributing monkeypox testing to private laboratories.
To significantly increase the nation's health system's capacity to test for monkeypox, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are sending tests to labs including Aegis Science, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and Sonic Healthcare. Testing was previously primarily limited to public health labs, which can each do roughly 8,000 tests weekly.
"Monkeypox instances should concern all Americans, "Xavier Becerra, the health and human services secretary, said in a statement. "Thankfully, America has the necessary resources to combat and handle situations. We are enabling everyone who needs to be tested to do so by significantly increasing the number of testing facilities around the nation.
The illness, which is frequently found in portions of central and west Africa, begins with flu-like symptoms before developing into a rash on the face and body. However, 1,880 illnesses have been documented this year in more than 30 nations where monkeypox is uncommon.
Europe has seen the majority of those cases. The CDC has reported 142 cases of monkeypox in the US as of June 21.
Smallpox and also monkeypox are members of the same viral family. Monkeypox usually clears up after a few weeks, but the World Health Organization reports that up to 1 in 10 people who contract the illness die.