We’ve been through Covid, now monkeypox rears its head.
Fortunately for us, it isn’t nearly as transmissible as Covid is, nor as dangerous (though it can be serious for some people).
Studies are showing that the primary vector for disease transmission is skin to skin contact. Monkeypox is NOT an STI, however it is primarily spreading in communities where men have sex with men (MSM). That being said, someone who gets monkeypox does not have to be part of that community. And scientists are worried that it could make its way into wild animal populations, where it could establish a viral reservoir that could lead to the disease becoming endemic.
The good news is it seems that airborne transmission of monkeypox is not very likely. Still, vigilance is warranted, as 32,000 infections have been reported so far, a third of them in the US.
Check out this article from Nature to read more, or google it yourself. But be sure to only read from reputable websites!