Effects of the re-emerging virus on education.

Neha Gurram, Features Editor; Milo Park, Staff Writer; & Rishi Pai, Staff Writer

Just four years ago, the entire world shut down with COVID-19 affecting millions. Now, a new virus is affecting people mainly in Africa— Monkeypox. The first case emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, but in 2022, there have been more reports of cases worldwide. This began with an individual from Britain bringing the strain to Europe after returning from a trip to Nigeria. Many worry about how the virus will spread and the implications if exposure occurs in schools. While both Monkeypox and COVID-19 have some similar symptoms, Monkeypox presents distinguishable features, making it easier to identify.

“Monkeypox is a viral illness that can cause symptoms like rash, fever, swelling of lymph nodes, and also cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue,” Mythri Mudireddy, a local doctor, said.

Although symptoms appear similar in Monkeypox and COVID-19, Mudireddy mentioned that Monkeypox symptoms appear in less severe forms, rarely being fatal. Mudireddy also discussed similarities in how Monkeypox is spread, explaining that through close contact with infected individuals and animals in the form of respiratory drops, the virus rapidly grows. Due to this, she emphasizes proper preventative measures. 

“Maintaining distance from patients having this illness, wearing a mask, and hand hygiene are the important things that one should consider,” Mudireddy said.

Practicing these safety measures significantly decreases the chance of infection, but Mudireddy also lists several steps a healthcare provider may take to assist those facing symptoms.

“If the patient is having a cough, we can give cough suppressants,” Mudireddy said. “And even for patients who develop a sharpness of breath, we can provide bronchodilator treatment.”

Currently, the virus is not severe enough for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] to consider it a global pandemic, but its possible effects on the school environment should still be highlighted. Earlier this year, the CDC announced that there will be new school shutdowns, but Fulton County has yet to take any action. However, Northview and Fulton County are still planning precautions in case the virus does become a severe threat.

“The county has not pushed out a lot of information that is tracked by the CDC. When it gets to a certain threshold, they push stuff out to us,” Northview High School’s Principal Martin Neuhaus said.

Having been the Shakerag Elementary principal during COVID-19, Neuhaus is familiar with the steps the county can take that are necessary to combat outbreaks like these. However, with the Monkeypox virus being in its beginning stages with some uncertainty about the danger of the virus, the county cannot do much at this time.

“It really starts with an awareness, and is there a vaccine available? Would we push that?” Neuhaus said. “And then [is] the [information being] pushed out fact [or] fiction? What's the reality of this [situation]?”

Neuhaus believes that awareness and spreading proper information about Monkeypox is crucial now because vaccine outreach at this stage of the disease would be a difficult way to get ahead of the outbreak. With Monkeypox quickly breaking into the United States, the best available course of action is to prepare and be mindful of current news on Monkeypox. By staying educated on the latest updates, individuals can help mitigate the spread of the virus while public health strategies continue to improve.