The World Health Organization (WHO) and the state of California have recently declared the monkeypox outbreak a world public health emergency. Our goal at the Hot Springs Association is to raise awareness to help prevent transmission of the monkeypox virus at hot springs properties. Please see below for detailed information about monkeypox from the WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
1. The monkeypox virus causes a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox. The virus can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, respiratory droplets, as well as from objects (such as towels, clothing, bedding, etc.) and surfaces that are contaminated. Children and those with underlying immune deficiencies are more at risk of infection.
2. Symptoms often appear 1 to 2 weeks after infection and include intense headaches, fever, cough, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, nasal congestion, chills, exhaustion, sore muscles, and a rash that goes through several stages. The illness usually lasts from 2 to 4 weeks, but severe cases can lead to other medical complications such as inflammation of the brain, pneumonia, inflammation and/or scarring of the cornea, sepsis, and airway obstruction due to swollen lymph nodes. Monkeypox rarely leads to death, but there have been cases.
3. To prevent the spread of monkeypox, (1) encourage guests and staff to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer, (2) thoroughly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, (3) make sure there is proper air circulation in rooms, and (4) consider asking guests and staff to wear masks in public spaces.
According to the CDC, there have been roughly 5,200 cases of monkeypox in the United States (as of July 29, 2022). That number is steadily growing! Please see the following links for additional information: