Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, here comes another possible pandemic.

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Both Dallas and Austin, Texas have declared monkeypox a public health emergency.

What is Monkeypox and How Does it Spread

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is related to smallpox and cowpox. It can look like blisters or pimples and can come with flue like symptoms. The CDC says the virus can spread through direct contact as well as  “respiratory secretions” and through sexual contact.

Monkey Pox Outbreak

The global outbreak continues to grow and health officials in every country are warning people to take the outbreak seriously or we could be facing the same issues we say with coronavirus.

World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a statement saying,

“This is an outbreak that can be stopped if countries, communities and individuals informed themselves, take the risk seriously and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups”

According to CNN, The WHO has issued a public health emergency of international concern.

Dallas and Austin Declare Public Health Emergency

Officials in Dallas and Austin have made the decision to declare a public health emergency with monkeypox cases rising, and a vaccine in short supply, both cities are now in line for federal funding.

Protect Yourself

With 780 confirmed cases in Texas, there are several ways to help protect your self.

From a City of Austin press release,

- Being fully clothed and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with strangers.
- Limiting close and or/intimate contact to people you know.
- Close contact includes sharing items like drinks and blankets.
- Wearing well-fitting masks in close quarters when social distancing isn’t possible to reduce sharing mouth/nasal fluids for prolonged periods.
- Being aware of monkeypox symptoms. Along with rash, symptoms include fever, headache and muscle aches, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Washing your hands and using hand sanitation often.
- Staying home if you feel sick or experience any symptoms.

We all remember what it was like going through a solid year of self quarantining during the coronavirus epidemic so working to prevent a repeat of that is in all of our best interest.

Let's get ahead of this and keep it from sending us all back down that path.

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