As the Covid-19 pandemic has persisted for nearly three years, many people have returned to their normal, pre-pandemic lifestyles. The number of people who actively take safety precautions against the coronavirus has decreased – little social distancing, not as many facemasks, less sanitizing. 

The world is finally heading towards a pandemic-free zone. Or is it?

The monkeypox virus is the new cause of concern regarding public health. This virus, which was first discovered in 1958, was rarely seen in humans outside of African regions – until now. A monkeypox outbreak is on the rise, with 44,503 cases of monkeypox being reported worldwide as of Aug. 23, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of these cases, 15,908 have been in the United States. 

Pascack Hills junior Jessi Villamarin said, “I’m not too concerned about monkeypox right now, but I hope it doesn’t affect this school year.”

Not many people are worrying about this virus, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring that the outbreak is a global health emergency. However, it is important that everyone around the globe is cautious and knowledgeable about the virus in order to prevent another global pandemic.

For those infected with monkeypox, the most common early symptoms are a fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Over a period of two to four weeks, rashes may form, fill with pus, and crust off. Even though many people have experienced these symptoms, others have experienced mild or no symptoms.

Monkeypox spreads through close contact, whether that be through touching an infected person’s skin or bodily fluids, a surface that an infected person touched, or an infected person’s respiratory secretions. 

Ways to prevent obtaining and spreading the virus are not coming into contact with anyone who appears to be sick or has rashes, as well as any objects the person touches. It is also beneficial for everyone to wash their hands often.

“Even though the virus isn’t too big of a deal right now, I’m worried that it will become something way worse since no one is caring about it. The virus is dangerous, so I hope people start being careful,” an anonymous Hills senior said. 

Although the monkeypox outbreak is currently at a much smaller scale than the Covid-19 pandemic, it could become more serious if the majority of people continue to ignore the virus. This does not mean that everyone should act in the same, highly precautionary manner that was needed during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it also does not mean that the monkeypox virus should be completely ignored until it becomes an extensive issue. After all, that is how the coronavirus pandemic grew to be such an impactful event.