COVID-19 vs Monkeypox
Monkeypox vs. COVID-19
Although the sudden emergence of monkeypox can be alarming after over two years of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox is not a new virus and does not spread in the same way as COVID-19. The table below shows a comparison of monkeypox and COVID-19.
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FAQ |
Monkeypox |
COVID-19 |
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How widespread is it? |
Typically found in or linked to central and western African countries. Since May 2022, cases have been identified in many other countries, including the U.S. However, monkeypox is much less common than COVID-19. While it’s good to stay alert about emerging public health outbreaks, the current risk of getting monkeypox in the general public is very low. |
Hundreds of millions of cases since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, and still spreading widely throughout the world. |
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When was it first identified? |
Not a new virus – around since 1958. |
A novel virus – around since 2019. |
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How does it spread? |
By very close and/or prolonged contact with someone with symptoms, including through:
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Through tiny droplets in the air by breathing, talking, sneezing, or coughing. Is extremely infectious. Can spread from others who have the virus, even if they don’t have symptoms. |
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What are the signs and symptoms? |
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How is it prevented? |
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Are there variants? |
All viruses change and evolve over time, however, the monkeypox virus mutates slower than coronaviruses. There are two known families or “clades” of monkeypox virus. The clade recently identified in Europe, Canada, and in the United States is the West African clade, which tends to cause less severe disease. |
There are many variants of SARS-CoV-2 (virus that causes COVID-19). This virus mutates rapidly. |
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If you have symptoms |
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About Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus which includes the variola (smallpox) virus as well as the vaccinia virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine. Monkeypox is of public health concern because the illness is similar to smallpox and can be spread from infected humans, animals, and materials contaminated with the virus. Monkeypox is less transmissible and usually less severe than smallpox.
Monkeypox was first identified in 1958 and occurs primarily in Central and West African countries. Historically monkeypox cases have occurred in the U.S. rarely and mostly related to international travel or importation of animals. There is a recent significant increase in reported cases where monkeypox is not commonly seen, including in Europe, Canada, the United States and California. While it’s good to stay alert about any emerging public health outbreaks, the current risk of getting monkeypox in the general public is very low.
Symptoms
Monkeypox might start with symptoms like the flu, with fever, low energy, swollen lymph nodes, and general body aches. Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the person can develop a rash or sores. The sores will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. They can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful and itchy.
The rash or sores may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butt) but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, and face. They may also be limited to one part of the body.
People with monkeypox may experience all or only a few of these symptoms. Most people with monkeypox will get the rash or sores. Some people have reported developing the rash or sores before (or without) the flu-like symptoms. Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed – this can take several weeks.
Transmission
Monkeypox spreads primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, hugging, massaging, and cuddling. Monkeypox can spread through touching materials used by a person with monkeypox that haven’t been cleaned, such as clothing and bedding. It can also spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, close, face-to-face contact.
Direct skin-skin contact with rash lesions
Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing
Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone
Sharing towels or unwashed clothing
Respiratory secretions through prolonged face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox)
Casual conversations
Walking by someone with monkeypox, like in a grocery store
Touching items like doorknobs
Prevention
There are number of ways to prevent the spread of monkeypox, including:Always talking to your sexual partner/s about any recent illness and being aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus
Avoiding close contact, including sex, with people with symptoms like sores or rashes
Practicing good hand hygiene Isolation of infected persons until their symptoms, including rash, have gone away completely
Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (like a mask, gown and gloves) when caring for others with symptoms
Avoiding contact with infected materials contaminated with the virus
Avoiding contact with infected animals
As you would expect with a virus that rarely causes outbreaks of infection in the US there are presently no disinfectants with a kill claim for monkeypox and no laboratories that could perform the testing needed to obtain EPA registrations. In response to the CDC declaration of an Epidemic, the EPA has activated the Emerging Viral Pathogen protocol for a large, enveloped virus (class 2a).
Both Klorsept and Klorkleen have the EPA emerging viral pathogen claim class 2a on the master label and as such our tablets are EPA registered as effective against the monkeypox virus. In dirty conditions, this would require a solution of 2153 ppm (minimum) for a contact time of 1 min.
- Klorsept and Klorkleen have the EPA emerging viral pathogen claim class 2a
“Klorsept & Klorkleen2 have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to monkeypox on hard, non-porous surfaces. Therefore, both can be used against monkeypox when used in accordance with the directions for use against Norovirus on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Refer to the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/emerging-viral-pathogen-guidance-and-status-antimicrobial-pesticides for additional information.
