BU Researchers: We Have the Potential to Prevent Endemic Monkeypox
Original article from BU Today by Jillian McKoy, 2022
The 2022 fall semester marks the third school year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year, ongoing concerns about COVID are accompanied by concern around the rapidly spreading monkeypox virus.
Since the first US case of the current monkeypox (MPX) outbreak was detected in Massachusetts in May, confirmed cases have soared to more than 17,000 nationwide as of mid-August, reaching every state except Wyoming. Globally, countries have reported more than 45,000 cases of the rare orthopoxvirus that is related to smallpox, and until now, was largely confined to Central and West Africa.
As students return to campus, Boston University officials are working to raise awareness and educate the BU community about the rash and flu-like symptoms of the disease, as well as provide guidance and support to any students, faculty, or staff who think they may be exposed or infected.