As the number of cases of monkeypox increases in France and Europe, one wonders about all the modes of transmission. It is known that direct physical contact with an infected person is a transmission factor, as well as receiving droplets of saliva. And while eating, can we catch it? ANSES develops some answers.
For the moment, ANSES does not know how to answer this question with certainty: no cases of contamination via food have yet been reported. But she notes all the same that it seems possible to her: “A food can thus be contaminated directly by a sick personespecially if she handles it while she has lesions or scabs on the skin. The food can also be contaminated after contact with a surface itself contaminated.” The virus could then contaminate the exposed person either simply by handling the contaminated food, or by ingesting it.
How to prevent this risk?
First, it is essential to remember that any infected person must remain isolated, the same if it is only a suspicion. Next, in the event of injuries to the hands (regardless of the cause), ANSES reminds you that you should not cook for other people or touching food that will be eaten by someone other than yourself.
Then, a request was made to catering professionals, namely: to disinfect everything, hands, equipment, spaces… And “to make workers aware of the symptoms of this virus so that they can declare themselves quickly in the event of infection and allow the effective management of contact persons”.
Source: ANSES, 5 July 2022.
Read also:
- Monkey pox: is it transmissible to pets?
- Monkeypox vaccine: who is affected by vaccination?