Monkeypox is in Minnesota. There are 38 confirmed cases in the state as of Tuesday. 

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization declared that monkeypox is a global public health emergency. And this week, California and Illinois joined New York state to call the virus a public health emergency. 

The virus is spread through close contact, and can cause fever, headaches and a rash.

“People getting sick so far have mainly been men who have sex with men, though health officials note that the virus can infect anyone,” according to the Associated Press.

About 5,800 cases of monkeypox have been reported nationwide, including 1,400 in New York, 800 in California and 500 in Illinois.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two infectious disease doctors about monkeypox, how it’s spread, who is most at risk and how to prevent it.

Guests:

• Dr. Nick Lehnertz is the medical adviser for the Minnesota Department of Health infectious disease division.




• Dr. Rebecca Wurtz is an associate professor and infectious disease physician at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.