Infectious Disease Specialist Discusses Basics of Monkeypox
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An infectious disease specialist urged the public to educate themselves on issues related to the human monkeypox virus last week as cases steadily climb in New York State and across the country.
Dr. Jason Zucker, who practices at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and is an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, cautioned community members that despite the virus currently affecting the gay population disproportionally, anyone can contract monkeypox.
“Most of the cases that we’re seeing are in these groups…a range of individuals can contact this disease,” Zucker said during a Zoom presentation last Thursday for media members. “As cases increase, it increases the likelihood of occurring in different groups of people. Anybody can contract and transmit human monkeypox virus, so we all have to be informed and remain diligent.”
It is likely presenting in those who self-identify as gay or bisexual men or men who have had sexual relations with other males because of shared sexual networks. According to the state Department of Health, as of last Wednesday there had been 108 cases of monkeypox outside of New York City and 97 percent of those people are male and 97 percent are gay, lesbian or bisexual.
Another misconception, he said, is that it is not a serious disease. While the fatality rate is miniscule and the hospitalization rate is also small, the symptoms are often painful and can last up to four weeks to clear. As of Aug. 4, there had been 10 deaths globally from this outbreak out of about 27,000 cases.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes, but many people who get monkeypox get an itchy, burning rash that resembles blisters or pimples. Zucker said many of those with the virus have the rash on the genitals or in perirectal area.
Monkeypox has a five- to 21-day incubation period. Once vaccinated, it can take up to two weeks to be protected, he said.
It is overwhelmingly contracted through skin-to-skin contact and sometimes if linen or clothing used by an infected person is touched.
“While we’re still learning more about human monkeypox virus, it’s important to know that it does not spread like COVID and you will likely not get it just by being in the same room as someone,” Zucker said.
The medication tecovirimat, which has been used to treat smallpox, is being used in some severe cases, but most people are convalescing at home, he said. Otherwise, it’s mostly about pain management. Clinical trials of tecovirimat have yet to be conducted, he added.
People can protect themselves and others by testing if they suspect they’ve been exposed, Zucker said. Anyone that has symptoms should get tested, and if they test positive, self-isolate.
“Our primary goal is to keep patients out of the hospital and out of the Emergency Department unless the severity of these symptoms make admission necessary,” Zucker said.
For Zucker, the most surprising aspect of monkeypox, thus far, has been the stigmatization of those who have contracted the virus. Even those who have only mild symptoms have been taking it hard because the isolation period is as long as four weeks.
He said monkeypox is challenging not only from a medical perspective but from a mental health standpoint. Zucker called on everyone to destigmatize the virus.
“We’ll overcome this public health challenge, but we need everyone’s help to do so,” Zucker said.
In order to overcome the challenge, society needs to vaccinate as many members of the at-risk population as possible, increase testing capability, isolate infected people, including providing temporary quarters for those who live in congregate settings, and ramp up clinical trials, he said.
“It is only by using all of these methods that we can manage the current surge in human monkeypox virus,” Zucker said.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
