CDC claims it retracts face mask recommendation because it ’causes confusion’

The agency, in a statement Tuesday, backed out on CDC’s recommendation urging travelers to wear masks to protect themselves from monkey disease because it “caused confusion”.

Late yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed this guide from their website just 13 hours after it was reported in the media.

A spokesperson for the agency told DailyMail.com that it was removed today due to concerns that many Americans are unsure of how to protect themselves abroad.

They pointed out that the advice to wear a cap is “exclusive to travelers” rather than the general public, adding that future updates will be accompanied by a public announcement.

Six days ago, the CDC had quietly added a recommendation to wear a veil to its Level 2 travel warning, encouraging “reinforced measures” abroad. It was picked up by Fox News late Monday, among other broadcasts, including CNBC and this website.

Today, an expert said it was “unfortunate” for the CDC to draft and remove this recommendation because it would further undermine public trust in the agency.

Monkeypox can only be spread by people showing signs of the virus and is usually transmitted through physical contact with contagious skin lesions. But in some cases, it can also be spread by breathing in droplets of infected people.

America has so far identified 31 cases in 12 states and Washington DC, with most lesions opening in the genital area as the first symptom. New York is the country’s hotspot with seven cases, followed by California with six.

But in a vice from the day before, the advice to put on mouthplugs is still clearly on the website.

When the CDC website came back online today, it also revealed that the bullet had been removed. The agency has yet to explain why this decision was made.

According to official data, Monkeypox has now been detected in 12 US states and Washington DC.

A CDC spokesperson explained its decision to make the change, saying: “Yesterday, the CDC removed the mask recommendation from the Monkeypox Travel health statement because it caused confusion.

“Travel health communications keep travelers and doctors informed of current health issues affecting travelers’ health, such as disease outbreaks, special events or rallies, and natural disasters in destinations around the world.”

A screenshot of The Returning Car, the unofficial internet archive, has revealed the agency’s back pedal.

In a June 6 release, a bullet point on the travel alert read: “Wear a mask. Wearing a face mask can help protect you from many diseases, including monkeypox.

However, this was removed the next day.

The notice doesn’t say which groups should wear face masks or in what contexts they might need it to protect themselves from monkey disease.

Separate guidelines for healthcare professionals state that face masks must be worn when someone is in the “presence” of a monkeypox patient.

He adds that disposable gloves should also be used to avoid direct contact with skin lesions.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at John Hopkins University, told DailyMail.com that monkeypox spreads primarily through skin-to-skin contact.

“If you look at how this epidemic works, it’s mainly transmitted through close contact and skin-to-skin contact,” he said.

“Although monkeypox can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, it is not the primary way people get it.

‘For example, the number of attacks on families’ [number of people who catch the virus who live with an infected person] it’s not very long.

“People in the same family don’t get infected easily.”

He said the CDC likely published the guide in good faith, but later retracted it “after reviewing it.”

But he added: “Unfortunately they put it there and then removed it because it will make some people believe that something harmful has happened, but it isn’t.”

CDC health leaders issued a travel warning about the monkeypox outbreak about two weeks ago.

He advised people outside of the United States to stay away from sick people and animals, not eat game, and not use wild animal creams, powders, or lotions.

Anyone with an unexplained rash, a common symptom of the virus, has been urged to seek immediate medical attention.

When first issued, the warning did not mention the use of masks to prevent the spread of monkeypox.

The disagreement over monkeypox protective masks is reminiscent of the confusion created by the CDC’s guidelines on Covid coverage.

In April, the federal agency said people should continue to wear covers on public transport to protect themselves from Covid.

But days later, this was denied by a Florida judge, who said the agency overstepped its mandate and failed to follow advice and proper regulatory procedures.

America has reported six more suspected cases of monkeypox in four states and Washington DC in the past three days

These include two in New York City and one in Colorado, California and Florida.

The most recent California case was in Sacramento – the fourth in the city – and the first to see it in the area “close contact”. Public health chiefs said 30 other close contacts had been vaccinated against the virus.

No further details about other infections were disclosed.

Worldwide, more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed outside of West Africa, where the virus originated.