The man is destined for Dallas and was returning home after a trip to Mexico. The Texas Department of Health is working with the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working to further investigate the case and the patient was isolated as soon as the diagnosis was made. Public health officials also said that people who traveled at a similar time from Mexico to Dallas to watch for symptoms and monitor themselves to look for signs of the disease. Some of the symptoms of smallpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. The Texas DSHS has reminded the public that monkey pox has so far not been considered a danger to the population and that with monitoring and medical care most people who get sick overcome it without further complications. With this first case in Texas, there are now over 35 different cases of smallpox in the United States. There has been global concern about the silent spread of the disease for a few months now, with countries such as the United Kingdom reporting 302 cases and a total of 1,000 cases worldwide. The World Health Organization has reassured people that it is unlikely we will see another pandemic like the one in 2019. For once, the disease is much harder to spread than COVID-19. It can only be transmitted to humans through close contact, inhalation of large respiratory droplets or close contact with body fluids. On the other hand, it is much less dangerous than COVID-19. Most people who get it will have symptoms, but there is rarely cause for concern and it leaves the body a few weeks after infection. Although no drug has been prescribed for this, many health officials believe that existing smallpox vaccines could be effective. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person. It is also recommended that you seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms that could be related to monkeypox.
