The quickly spreading monkeypox virus has been found in 65 countries where it's not normally found.

What You Need To Know

  • Monkeypox can affect anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, but requires close physical skin to skin contact to be transmitted

  • The virus is self-limited, which means the body's own immune system can generally clear the infection over time

  • Roughly 5,400 doses of the monkeypox vaccine have been administered in the county as of Tuesday

“Monkeypox is not as easily spread as COVID. It really requires that close physical skin to skin contact primarily for [it to] spread,” Dr. Sonali Kulkarni with the Department of Public Health told “Inside the Issues” host Alex Cohen.

The disease has primarily affected gay and bisexual men in the U.S. However, this is not an outbreak specifically related to that community, Kulkarni added.

“It's important to note that monkeypox can infect anyone. But by chance, the case is started amongst men who identify as gay and bisexual and has continued to be transmitted in those social and sexual circles. But it could any time go to other groups, and monkeypox is not considered a sexually transmitted infection.”

Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox requires very close contact to be transmitted.

The virus usually causes an illness that begins with fever, chill and swollen lymph nodes, and then progresses to a bodily rash of pustules, which are similar to large whiteheads. The rashes are typically seen in the face, hands and neck. However, milder cases can appear in the genital or anal area.

“Fortunately, [the virus is] usually self-limited, which means that the body's own immune system can generally clear the infection on its own with time,” Kulkarni continued. “So it usually takes between two and four weeks for the rash to heal. Those pustules that I mentioned need to scab over and then fall off for there to then be healthy skin underneath, and then the person's not considered infectious anymore.”

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The AIDS Healthcare Foundation outlined a six point plan including lobbying for more vaccines and more public outreach when it comes to this virus and its transmission.

There has been another slight expansion of monkeypox vaccine availability, LA County health officials announced Tuesday, along with a website allowing eligible residents to register for a waiting list to receive the shot. Roughly 5,400 doses of the vaccine have been administered in the county, as of Tuesday.

The U.S. Center of Disease Control recommends those who have traveled to areas where cases are high should visit a medical provide, wear a mask and avoid close or skin-to-skin contact with others.