NewsDesk @bactiman63

Two additional people tested positive for orthopoxvirus in NYC, which is presumed to be monkeypox. To date, seven cases have been identified.

Including these two additional cases, the total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases stand at 27.

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says currently, the following people may be more likely to have been exposed to monkeypox:

  • Those who recently traveled to Portugal, Spain, the UK, Canada or Central or Western African countries.
  • Men who have sex with men, or anyone with close social or physical contact with others.

Monkeypox is a rare contagious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is usually found in central and western African countries and does not occur naturally in the U.S.

Monkeypox is spread through direct contact with an infected animal or human. Person-to-person transmission is rare and usually happens through open sores, body fluids or large respiratory droplets.

Transmission can happen during close contact with infected people or materials used by an infected person, including:

  • Hugging, kissing and talking closely
  • Oral, anal and vaginal sex or mutual masturbation
  • Touching fabrics and objects, such as clothing, bedding, towels or sex toys

Concerning prevention, vaccines for smallpox can offer protection from monkeypox. Routine vaccination is not recommended at this time.

Other than vaccination, you can prevent monkeypox by:

  • Avoiding contact with people that have symptoms or are confirmed to have the virus, as well as materials they may have touched
  • Wearing a face mask around others
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer