By Chioma Iruke
The United States is currently tracking more than 200 persons in 27 states for possible rare monkeypox infections.
Recall, US authorities had earlier alleged that a Texas man brought the disease in from Nigeria earlier this month.
The man who is believed to be the first monkeypox case in the US since 2003 – was taken to hospital but is in a stable condition.
So far, no new cases have been found although authorities fear more people may have come in contact with the index carrier.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it is concerned that passengers who were on board two flights with the man may have been exposed to the disease.
He flew into Atlanta, Georgia from Lagos, Nigeria, on July 9, before taking a flight to Dallas, where he was hospitalised, the CDC said.
It said it was working with the airlines to assess “potential risks to those who may have had close contact with the traveller”.
But the chances of the disease spreading on the plane were low because passengers had to wear face masks, it added.
A CDC spokesperson told the BBC it was “working with state and local health departments to follow up with individuals who may have been exposed to monkeypox”.
“The risk to the general public is thought to be low,” the spokesperson said, adding that none of the 200 people they were monitoring were thought to be “high risk”.
