The Claim:
Do you remember earlier this year when monkeypox was circulating in the United States? One question many had was whether or not the virus is airborne.
The Facts:
According to the CDC, monkeypox (mpox) is spread via close personal contact. Such contact can be direct– via monkeypox lesions or body fluids from an infected person, via contact with objects or fabrics used by someone with monkeypox, or via respiratory droplets.
While the WHO has said that monkeypox could possibly be spread through short-range aerosols, we have no indication of this type of spread. Monkeypox has been studied for decades after its discovery in 1958, and airborne transmission has never been noted.
Disclaimer: Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
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