Careful! Monkeypox can be transmitted through sheets & towels

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that there have been more than 3,400 cases of monkeypox detected in dozens of countries around the world. Indonesia’s closest neighbor, namely Singapore, has also detected the disease.

Monkeypox itself is a rare disease that is triggered by the monkeypox virus. The illness usually begins with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms then develop into a painful rash that can spread throughout the body.

Then, how does monkeypox spread?

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that monkeypox can be transmitted through inanimate objects that are contaminated with the virus, such as towels and bed sheets.

Here are the transmission routes for monkeypox, according to CDC guidelines:

Monkeypox can be spread to anyone through close, personal contact, often skin-to-skin including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, sores, or scabs
• Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by monkeypox sufferers
• Through respiratory droplets or oral fluids from people with monkeypox

The CDC also mentions that transmission can occur during intercourse including:

• Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals or anus of people with monkeypox
• Hugging, massaging, kissing or talking from a very close distance
• Touching cloth and objects during sex that are used by monkeypox sufferers, such as bedding, towels, and sex toys

Previously, CDC officials said some of the current monkeypox patients may also have a sexually transmitted disease. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that the rash that characterizes monkeypox could resemble herpes or syphilis.

“It is important to recognize that cases of monkeypox may be similar to some sexually transmitted infections and can be misinterpreted for other diagnoses,” said Walensky.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]