Emerging Disease in the Community

One emerging disease in the community is monkeypox. Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis that can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, lymphadenopathy, chills, exhaustion, and a rash. The rash typically starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body. The rash can be flat or raised and can look like pimples, blisters, or scabs. Monkeypox is usually a mild illness, but it can be serious in some cases.

Rates and Duration of Increase

The rates of monkeypox have been increasing in the community in recent months. In the United States, there have been over 4,000 cases of monkeypox reported so far in 2022. This is a significant increase from the 47 cases reported in the entire country in 2021. The increase in monkeypox cases is likely due to several factors, including:

• Increased travel and transportation between countries
• Increased contact with animals that carry the monkeypox virus
• The relaxation of public health measures that were put in place to control the spread of COVID-19

Population Most Affected

The population most affected by monkeypox is men who have sex with men. In the United States, over 95% of the cases of monkeypox have been reported in men who have sex with men. This is likely due to the fact that monkeypox is spread through close contact, and men who have sex with men are more likely to engage in this type of contact.

Prevention

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent the further spread of monkeypox. These include:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick with monkeypox
• Practicing safe sex
• Getting vaccinated against monkeypox

The monkeypox vaccine is effective in preventing the disease. The vaccine is given in two doses, four weeks apart. The vaccine is available to people who are at high risk of getting monkeypox, such as healthcare workers and people who have close contact with people who are sick with monkeypox.

Conclusion

Monkeypox is an emerging disease that is causing concern in the community. The rates of monkeypox cases have been increasing in recent months, and the disease is most affecting men who have sex with men. There are a number of things that can be done to prevent the further spread of monkeypox, such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick with monkeypox, practicing safe sex, and getting vaccinated against monkeypox.