Monkeypox is rare in kids, but schools are preparing for possible cases

Monkeypox is rare in kids, but schools are preparing for possible cases

 

As of last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted just 17 monkeypox cases among people 15 years old and younger out of the more than 16,000 people in the United States with confirmed or probable monkeypox infections. But as classrooms reopen this fall, K-12 schools across the United States are on alert for possible cases.   The CDC emphasized in guidance for K-12 schools and child care centers posted this month that "the risk of monkeypox to children and adolescents in the United States is low" right now, but schools should follow their everyday protocols to reduce the transmission of any infectious disease.   The guidance notes that if someone with monkeypox has been in a school or a child care setting, "the setting should follow their everyday operational guidance to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases and add enhanced cleaning and disinfection," as well as support the local health department to conduct contact tracing and provide information about how to prevent the spread of the virus to staff members, volunteers, students and parents.   The monkeypox virus can spread through close personal contact, such as skin-to-skin contact, direct contact with a monkeypox rash or scabs from an infected person or direct contact with their respiratory secretions. Although the risk is low, there is potential for the virus to spread through contaminated objects or surfaces like clothing, bedding or towels that were used by someone with monkeypox.   "Basic cleaning right now is all that is recommended, but when you have an outbreak situation within a school, you're going to want to do in-depth cleaning and have other recommendations in place to limit touching, hugging, and what kids do, " said Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.   The CDC also notes in its guidance for schools and child care centers that monkeypox vaccination is recommended for people who have been exposed to the virus but "there is no need for widespread vaccination for monkeypox among children or staff at K-12 schools or early childhood settings."