CDC and Texas confirm monkeypox in U.S. traveler

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Texas Department of State Health Services yesterday confirmed a case of human monkeypox in a U.S. resident who recently traveled from Nigeria to the United States, CDC announced today.

The person is currently hospitalized in Dallas. CDC is working with the airline and state and local health officials to contact airline passengers and others who may have been in contact with the patient during two flights: Lagos, Nigeria, to Atlanta on July 8, with arrival on July 9; and Atlanta to Dallas on July 9. They believe the risk of spread to travelers on these flights and in the airports is low due to the current COVID-19-related requirement to wear masks.

A rare but potentially serious viral illness, monkeypox typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body. It caused a large U.S. outbreak in 2003 after the virus spread from imported African rodents to pet prairie dogs.