The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday confirmed a case of Monkeypox in a U.S. resident who recently traveled from Nigeria to the United States, according to the Hill.
The person took two flights on his way back to Texas: one from Nigeria to Atlanta and another from Atlanta to Dallas, the person is currently hospitalized in Dallas.
“Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body,” the CDC said in its statement. Most infections can last up to 4 weeks.
The CDC is working with the airline to contact passengers, and others, who may have been in contact with the patient during the flights.
The CDC says that because people are required to wear masks on flights and airports in the U.S., the risk of spreading the virus via respiratory droplets to others on the planes and in the airports is low.
The strain of monkeypox the person in Dallas has is typically seen in Nigeria and West Africa. Infections with this strain of monkeypox are fatal in about 1 in 100 people. However, rates can be higher in people who have weakened immune systems.
