After two years of the COVID pandemic, there’s a new viral concern called monkeypox and it’s spreading. Cases have already been confirmed in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and now the U.S. Cheddar anchor Shannon Lanier breaks down the facts: where monkeypox comes from, how it got here, what the symptoms are - and just how worried we should be. 

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Monkeypox Spreading Across the U.S.

You know, just when we thought we were seeing the light at the end of the covid tunnel, another virus has popped up and it's giving many people that same eerie feeling. They just had two years ago at the start of the pandemic. So here's what you need to know about. Monkey pox. A monkey pox outbreak is spreading across the globe, cases have already been confirmed in the U. K. Spain, Portugal Canada and now the U. S. So what exactly is monkeypox? How did it get here and how worried should we be? Monkeypox is similar to but milder than smallpox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and exhaustion. But unlike smallpox, the disease and largest lymph nodes, the most notable symptom is the pox, or painful fluid filled blisters on the face, hands and feet cases generally lasts 2 to 4 weeks. The fatality rate is between three and 6% according to the World Health Organization. The disease spreads by contact with an animal or a human or materials contaminated with the virus. Now, while this is scary, it's important to remember this isn't the first time that we've seen monkey pox. In 2003, there was an outbreak in the Midwest. The first outbreak outside of Africa. In that case it was linked to contact with infected Pet Prairie dogs Leading to more than 70 cases of monkeypox. There are currently over 100 confirmed cases outside of the continent of Africa. Health officials are contact tracing and hopes of limiting the spread. The World Health Organization says much of the spread is happening through sexual contact. However, there is already a monkey pox vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control is currently working to release it from the national stockpile for those at high risk of the disease.