US CDC Says "Monkeypox Likely Won't Be Completely Eradicated"

Decreasing Trend but Can Continue to Spread at Low Levels
"Mainly Infected Group Is Homosexual Men, but Anyone Can Be Infected" Warning

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) forecasted that monkeypox is on a declining trend but is unlikely to be completely eradicated.
The photo shows an electron microscope image of monkeypox virus particles (red). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Although monkeypox cases in the United States have recently been declining, U.S. health authorities predict that the disease is unlikely to be completely eradicated.

On the 1st (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report forecasting that monkeypox could continue to spread at low levels indefinitely. The CDC stated, "As monkeypox vaccinations increase and methods to avoid infection become better known, the rate of outbreaks is slowing," adding, "It is highly likely that immunity has increased among the groups most affected by the virus."

According to the CDC, 26,000 monkeypox cases have been reported across all 50 states in the U.S., with at least two deaths.

Monkeypox primarily spreads among men who have sex with men, but it is a disease that anyone can contract through contact with an infected person or contaminated materials. As of the end of September in the U.S., 29 cases of infection in children have been confirmed, and 78 cases are under investigation. Additionally, 96% of patients are male, but among the 408 female cases, there are four pregnant women and one breastfeeding woman.

The CDC noted that if the monkeypox virus spreads through casual contact or heterosexual intercourse, it could resurge; however, currently, no countries have been identified where the virus has spread outside of sexual contact among gay and bisexual men.

Meanwhile, in South Korea, two monkeypox cases have been reported in June and September, both of which are known to be mild.

The first patient, who entered from Germany, was discharged 15 days after being confirmed positive, and the second confirmed patient, who had traveled to Europe, was discharged after about 10 days of hospitalization.

Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, chills, and a rash with blisters similar to chickenpox on the hands or body. Symptoms last for 2 to 4 weeks, and the fatality rate is 3 to 6%. The smallpox vaccine provides 85% preventive effectiveness.