Correctional facilities house some of society’s most vulnerable individuals, who are at heightened risk for infectious disease outbreaks. The unique environment in prisons, characterized by overcrowding and limited access to healthcare, amplifies the potential for rapid transmission. Despite these challenges, the role of prison health staff and security personnel in disease containment and prevention often goes unnoticed. Their efforts are crucial not only for safeguarding the health of inmates but also for maintaining broader public health security.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is similar to smallpox but generally less severe; transmission can occur through direct contact with bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. While previously confined to certain regions of Africa, recent outbreaks in non-endemic countries have heightened global awareness of the disease and its potential to spread, particularly in vulnerable environments.
