The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends taking measures to reduce exposure to the monkeypox virus, which is transmitted between people through close contact with secretions from the respiratory tract or skin lesions, as well as recently contaminated objects.
Recommendations from health experts include washing your hands frequently and avoiding contact with infected people, among other measures.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service and the US Centers for Disease Control, the best precautions you can take are:
- Washing your hands with soap and water regularly or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients who are confirmed or infected with the monkeypox virus.
- Only eating meat that has been cooked thoroughly.
- Do not go near wild or stray animals, including dead animals, as well as animals that look unwell.
- Do not eat or touch meat from wild animals.
- Do not share bedding or towels with people who are unwell and may have monkeypox.
- Do not have close contact with people who are unwell and may have monkeypox.
