Colleges across America are on high alert for monkeypox as they get ready for the fall semester and are forced to deal with yet another infectious disease.
Administrators are pointing out that, unlike COVID-19, monkeypox requires close contact and the virus is unlikely to be transmitted among students sitting in a classroom. Still, the American College Health Association says colleges “are taking monkeypox seriously.”
“There are a lot of aspects of campus life that could increase transmission — residence halls, contact sports, frequent social events and others,” association spokeswoman Rachel Mack said. “Many campuses have already communicated to students about the risks, how to reduce risk, symptoms to look for, and where to go if they were exposed or have symptoms, among other things, and they are looking for additional resources and guidance to help them prepare and manage outbreaks.