In early May, reports began circulating about confirmed cases of monkeypox, an orthopoxvirus similar to smallpox. As of mid-June, there were over 2100 reported cases of monkeypox in dozens of countries. While a great deal is already known about the science of the monkeypox virus, this outbreak has raised several new questions about its transmissibility and impact on human health in both the short and long terms. With the world's attention heightened to such disease outbreaks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this seems like a good opportunity to provide answers and help alleviate concerns.

We are experts in infectious diseases who are here to provide the facts about monkeypox and counter the mis-information that has been spreading about this disease. Join us today at 2 PM ET (18 UT) for a discussion, organized by the American Society for Microbiology, about the monkeypox outbreak. We'll answer your questions about the symptoms of monkeypox and how it spreads, current strategies for treatment and prevention, and what can be done to contain this (and future) outbreaks. Ask us anything!

With us today are:

• Dr. Christy Hutson, Ph.D., M.S. (u/CHutson_CDC)- Branch Chief, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dr. Reeti Khare, Ph.D., D(ABMM) (u/DenverIDLab)- Director, Infectious Disease Laboratory, National Jewish Health
• Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, Ph.D., MS, SM(ASCP)CM, SVCM, MBCM, FACSc (u/DocMicrobe)- Regents' Professor, Texas State University System, University Distinguished Chair & Professor, Clinical Laboratory Science
• Dr. Rachel L. Roper, Ph.D. (u/RroperECU)- Professor, Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University

Links:

• Monkeypox: What We Do and Don't Know About Recent Outbreaks
• Monkeypox Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin
• CDC Monkeypox page
• WHO Monkeypox page

Please note that we will NOT be making medical diagnoses or recommending any medical treatments or procedures for individuals.