Plagues continue: Monkeypox emerges as newest workplace safety threat

Just as the COVID-19 threat appeared to be waning, monkeypox has emerged as the newest viral workplace threat. On July 30, 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared monkeypox a public health emergency. His announcement was followed by a statement from Governor Kathy Hochul saying the virus created an "imminent threat to public health."

On August 4, 2022, President Joe Biden declared monkeypox a national public health emergency. On August 11, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its updated monkeypox guidance. The protocol for avoiding and mitigating monkeypox varies from COVID-19 in several respects. Read on to understand how this new virus will impact employers.

Background

Monkeypox had its first reported human case in 1970. Per the CDC guidance, monkeypox is a “rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus,” and it’s “part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox.” While monkeypox symptoms are similar to (but milder than) smallpox symptoms, monkeypox is rarely fatal.

People with monkeypox may get a rash on or near their genitals or anus. The rash might also appear on other areas of the body, such as the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The CDC guidance states that the virus goes through several stages before healing.