Animals infected with monkeypox were imported from Africa into the United States in 2003. There followed spread to prairie dogs and other animals with eventual human infections. The risk of becoming infected can be estimated from the type of exposure that occurred.
Parameters:
(1) risk of animal being infected
(2) type of human exposure to the animal
Risk of Animal Being Infected
Type of Human Exposure
Risk
remote (exposure unlikely)
no direct contact (indirect contact)
low
remote (exposure unlikely)
direct contact with bite or scratch; contact of an animal's body fluid with mucous membrane or nonintact skin
low
remote (exposure unlikely)
direct contact, other
low
possible (exposure likely)
no direct contact (indirect contact)
low
possible (exposure likely)
direct contact with bite or scratch; contact of an animal's body fluid with mucous membrane or nonintact skin
high
possible (exposure likely)
direct contact, other
medium
definite
no direct contact (indirect contact)
low
definite
direct contact with bite or scratch; contact of an animal's body fluid with mucous membrane or nonintact skin
high
definite
direct contact, other
medium
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