(WWJ) After the first probable case of monkeypox was identified in Michigan, medical experts are urging residents not to panic.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the general public is not at risk for this viral illness.
WWJ Health Reporter Dr. Deanna Lites spoke with Dr. Matthew Sims, Medical Director of Infectious Disease Research for Beaumont Health, who had this message for anyone who is concerned:
"This is not another COVID; that's the most important thing to get across. This is different," he said. "It doesn't spread the same way, it's not nearly as contagious. It really spreads by contact; so contact with the lesions that you can get, the rash."
Other than contact with scabs or lesions, monkeypox can spread through bodily fluids or prolonged face-to-face contact.
Sims said this particular outbreak has been spreading through sexual contact, "And it's primarily been in men who have sex with men."
"Because of the loop of spread, and because it's not really that contagious a disease comparatively (to COVID-19), we don't expect it to get completely out of control the way COVID did, or the way flu does during flu season," Sims said. "But it's important that we take precautions to try to get this under control."
Officials said Michigan's probable case of monkeypox is in an Oakland County resident, who is isolating while the state and local health departments are working to notify any close contacts.
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There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox.
However, because it's similar to smallpox, the antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkey pox infections.
After spreading in Europe, the U.S. detected the first case of monkeypox in May. There have been roughly 350 confirmed cases across the country.
Worldwide, there have been more than 5,500 confirmed cases of monkeypox and only one death related to the disease.
Those with questions or concerns about monkeypox are urged to contact your their health department. For more information, visit CDC.gov/Monkeypox.