Monkeypox 

Monkeypox (MPV) is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus and is closely related to the variola virus that causes smallpox. Earlier this year, MPV outbreaks began in various parts of the world, including the United States. On August 4th, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) declared a public health emergency as a result of the ongoing outbreak of monkeypox.

MPV can spread to anyone through close, personal, and often skin-to-skin contact. According to the CDC, the most common symptom of monkeypox is a rash located on or near the genitals or other areas of the body such as the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. Other symptoms could include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache, and/or respiratory symptoms (e.g., stuffy nose, sore throat, or cough).

Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of infection.  A person is contagious from the time the symptoms start until the rash has healed, or the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

If you have a new or unexplained rash or other new symptoms as listed above, you should avoid close contact with anyone and wear a mask until you have been tested and checked by a healthcare provider.

For more information about RapidBio's testing for monkeypox, please submit the form below and we will reach back out to you.