PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The CDC has now confirmed a case of smallpox in Philadelphia, the first to be found in Pennsylvania. Smallpox infections in the United States have doubled to 21 in one week.
Meanwhile, the CDC is stepping up efforts to address the spread of the virus by initiating an emergency response.
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“Given how well connected our world is, no one is really isolated,” said Dana Perella, director of the Department of Health’s acute communicable diseases program.
The smallpox of the monkey is transmitted by means of a close extended contact.
With several large crowds scheduled for events in Philadelphia this weekend, health officials say people should know what to look out for.
Smallpox, the contagious virus that causes injuries, could be more widespread than previously thought, but CDC officials say the overall risk remains low.
“Currently, the cases reported in the United States, however, are mostly among gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men,” said CDC Dr. Jennifer McQuinston.
Doctors say anyone can get monkeypox. It is not sexually transmitted, but is spread mainly through close contact or large respiratory drops.
“It’s important that we realize it’s not a gay infection,” said Dr. Mark Watkins, an infectious disease specialist.
The Mazzoni Center says the organization wants to raise awareness and publish a notice about the upcoming pride festivities.
“You won’t get it just by casual contact that way, walking down the street, passing someone in front of a crowd,” Watkins said.
At a concert, you’re sitting next to someone, maybe dancing next to someone for a couple of hours. Is this a potential risk?
“So some people will say yes you shouldn’t be in such close physical contact with someone you don’t know,” Watkins said.
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Another Philadelphia event this weekend that awaits a large crowd is the Roots Picnic and Concert.
“I don’t think I should panic, it doesn’t spread like COVID. For example, you know, it’s not as easy to catch this as catching COVID. So you know, I don’t see it as the next pandemic, but it’s interesting and unusual. And I think we definitely need to investigate to find out what’s really going on, “said Dr. Marci Drees, head of ChristianaCare infection prevention.
Drees says the virus spreads through close contact, including skin or respiratory transmission, and is likely to be diagnosed when a rash occurs several days after exposure.
Other symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, and a rash that develops one to three days after exposure.
“The rash may be in different parts of the body. It is usually more common in the face and limbs than in the central part of the body. What has been a distinctive feature of this outbreak is that it has sometimes been isolated from the genital area, “Drees said.
Drees also says that if you develop a rash, it is important to contact your doctor, cover it immediately, and isolate it.
“It can also be spread using materials, so if you handle someone’s bedding or towels with smallpox smallpox injuries, you can catch it that way,” Drees said.
Smallpox was accidentally imported into the United States in 2003, transmitted from rodents sent from Africa to prairie dogs.
It has historically spread from animals to people, but officials have not been able to trace this outbreak first identified last month in a British patient.
“It’s clearly spreading in a different way than it had done before,” Drees said.
Smallpox is similar to the smallpox virus, and the smallpox vaccine can be used to help treat high-risk smallpox patients.
Officials say the best way to stay safe is to practice social distancing, masking, and proper hand washing.
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Alicia Roberts, Ross DiMattei and Stephanie Stahl of CBS3 contributed to this report.