The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that a rare case of monkeypox has been detected in Texas, the first such case recorded in the state. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins told The Associated Press: “Although it is rare, this situation is not a cause for panic, and we do not expect to pose any threat to the public.”

Read on to learn more about this rare disease.

1. Monkeypox and smallpox belong to the same virus family. This is a rare but potentially serious viral disease characterized by flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes, which gradually develops into a widespread rash all over the face and body.
2. It spreads from one person to another through respiratory droplets. The CDC stated that due to the coronavirus pandemic, wearing a mask at the airport means that patient zero is unlikely to spread the mask during travel.
3. The mortality rate of smallpox is higher than that of monkeypox.
4. Monkeypox, as the name suggests, was first discovered in 1958, when two outbreaks of pox-like diseases were recorded in monkey populations preserved for research.
5. In 1970, the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded its first human case of monkeypox during its efforts to eliminate smallpox.
6. So far, scientists have discovered two different monkeypox virus genomes-Central Africa and West Africa.
7. The CDC said that the latest case found in the United States was a virus infection found in parts of West Africa, including Nigeria.
8. Britain, Israel and Singapore have recorded six cases of monkeypox in passengers, all of whom returned from Nigeria.