The new variant of monkeypox has been spreading rapidly in the United States
The outbreak of monkeypox started in 2022, originating from Africa. It later came to the United States and turned into a global virus. Then, in 2023, less cases of monkeypox were reported and it was almost forgotten about in many countries. Now however, it is circulating around the US again, mainly in California.
Monkeypox comes from the same family as smallpox, both causing little pox to appear on your skin. With monkeypox, you can experience rashes, fevers, body aches, scabs, etc. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transferred from animals to humans. The reason that has so far been claimed to have started the virus. It was from rodents, monkeys and other animals that live in the African area.
Luis Jungo ‘26 said, “I don’t think monkeypox really affects me, but I heard things that it’s been spreading around California.”
In California, there have been 6,421 reported cases of monkeypox and 282 of those have been hospitalized. The main areas being affected are Los Angeles, with 2,490 cases reported and San Francisco with 954.
Jungo said, “I heard that a few schools were even shut down because of it, I don’t know if that is true.”
No schools have been shut down in California due to monkeypox.The media has been causing panic amongst some people and spreading false news that three schools have been shut down from monkeypox, which is false.
The virus is transmitted through contacts with items, fabrics and surfaces that have not been disinfected after youth by some of monkeypox. Monkeypox can also be spread with sexual contact with others.
Oliver Henn ‘26 said, “I don’t think monkeypox will get to the point where we need to shut down [school] because, according to this, it’s a sexually transmitted disease so I think it’s unlikely.”
To try and avoid the disease, avoid physical contact with others. If you know someone who has monkeypox, try and stay away from them. Make sure to wash your hands often, clean your sheets and try to stay away from wild animals.
