Mpox Outbreak: CDC Confirms Schools Won't Close Amidst Growing Concerns

Mpox Outbreak Raises Fears of School Shutdowns

Since the World Health Organization declared mpox outbreak a global health emergency last week, familiar fears of school shutdowns have ricocheted across social media. Students recall the 2020 Covid lockdowns vividly. In various TikTok videos, students express their anxiety with sentiments like, 'I'M NOT MISSING SENIOR YEAR BC OF MPox.' Health officials, however, clarify the differences between mpox and Covid.

Understanding the Mpox Outbreak

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a virus characterized by fever, headaches, muscle pains, and painful skin lesions. Unlike Covid, which spreads through air, mpox spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with infected lesions. Experts underline this is a visible disease, reducing the likelihood of hidden spread.

Impact on Schools: Experts Weigh In

• Dr. Christine Hutson from the CDC states, 'This is not like Covid.'
• There’s no significant potential for spread in U.S. households.
• Dr. Carlos del Rio emphasizes that schools will stay open.

Current Status of Mpox Spread

Most of the mpox outbreak cases are confined to African nations, notably the Democratic Republic of Congo. In contrast, Sweden reported only a single case of clade I mpox, with no occurrences in the U.S. CDC studies suggest a minimal spread risk in U.S. households, making school closures unlikely.

Conclusion: A Different Approach

Dr. Michelle Taylor reassures parents, stating, 'Based on the science, I just don’t believe that’s going to happen.' Experts exhibit confidence that the approach to mpox will differ greatly from previous strategies during the Covid crisis.