The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified two individuals with monkeypox that have had associated neurological complications, a rare side effect of the virus.
Two men, one from Colorado and another from Washington, D.C., were found to have encephalomyelitis, referring to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, in July associated with a monkeypox infection.
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The CDC cautioned that although neurological complications related to monkeypox are rare, little is known about the current global outbreak.
Both individuals, who were described as gay men in their 30s, had not been vaccinated against monkeypox and began having neurological symptoms five to nine days after the onset of their fever and rash. Both individuals were hospitalized and then later released to rehabilitation therapy. The individual from Colorado, who had no prior monkeypox exposure or recent travel, experienced weakness in his leg.
Neurological symptoms may include an altered mental status, loss of bowel and bladder control, and upper and lower limb weakness and numbness.
“Suspected cases should be reported to state, tribal, local, or territorial health departments to improve understanding of the range of clinical manifestations of MPXV infections and treatment options. Persons who have been exposed to monkeypox or are at higher risk of being exposed may be vaccinated against monkeypox to reduce the chance of disease and can consider other protective measures to reduce their risk for exposure to MPXV,” the CDC said in a report Tuesday.
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Monkeypox symptoms may also include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and a rash that goes through several stages, including scabbing, before healing. As of Tuesday, over 22,000 cases of monkeypox have been identified in the United States, according to the CDC.
