The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday quietly deleted its mask recommendation..The website stated travellers should wear face masks because of the risks of monkeypox — a rare disease that so far has been transmitted mainly via sexual contact..“Some cases were reported among men who have sex with men,” the CDC website states..“Some cases were also reported in people who live in the same household as an infected person.”.“Wear a mask. Wearing a mask can help protect you from many diseases, including monkeypox,” the CDC advised as late as Monday..The retraction of the advice follows the CDC elevating its official alert level from Level 1 (Watch) to Level 2 (Alert.) The CDC has three alert levels..The CDC added the mask recommendation last week under its Traveler’s Health section. It warned Americans of cases of monkeypox in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.."Late yesterday, CDC removed the mask recommendation from the monkeypox Travel Health Notice because it caused confusion," a CDC spokesperson said Tuesday..The recommendation invited a public backlash on social media. Many people stated because monkeypox only spreads via close and prolonged contact, mask-wearing would be ineffective and therefore pointless..In response to the CDC's deletion of the recommendation, Dr. David Samadi tweeted, “Still trying to comprehend the CDC guidance to wear masks to slow the spread of Monkeypox.”.“The disease is not airborne as of this moment,” he added. “What exactly are the masks supposed to do in that case?”.On Tuesday evening, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw issued a monkeypox update via another series of tweets announcing a second case in the province.."While we will not provide identifying information to protect the privacy of this adult, I can confirm that this case is not linked to the first case announced last week and at this time there is no known direct connection to other confirmed cases," Hinshaw said.."Monkeypox is predominantly transmitted through close physical skin-to-skin contact, which is why it can be spread to sexual partners. While monkeypox is not an STI, the majority of global cases to date have been among men who have reported intimate relations w/other men," she said..Hinshaw recommended that anyone with genital sores, rash, or a fever, or who has had prolonged close contact with anyone who's had monkeypox, should call 811 and self-isolate.
