Monkeypox cases in the US have been a rare occurrence in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cases have happened linked to overseas travel or importing animals from places where the disease is endemic.
However, this year's monkeypox cases are different from the previous years since they caused an outbreak in the US that infected hundreds of people. The recent case was from Arkansas and it was the first monkeypox reported in the state.
Monkeypox Case in Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has been monitoring the monkeypox virus since the first case was confirmed in the US in early May. News outlet 5News reported that on Tuesday, state health authorities announced the first case in Arkansas.
ADH pointed out that symptoms of monkeypox, such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and painful rash could appear 14 days after being exposed to the virus via an infected person or contaminated object.
Dr. Jennifer Dillaha with the ADH noted that though this news is concerning, monkeypox is not as contagious as COVID-19. The virus is transmitted via direct skin contact through rashes, scabs, body fluids, and contaminated objects, like clothes. It can also be passed on to other people via respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, although it is not an airborne disease.
Health authorities at ADH encourage those with symptoms and those that may have been exposed to the monkeypox virus to immediately contact their health care provider and be tested to be given proper care.
Health officials around the world are also keeping an eye on more cases as a number of them have no travel history to Africa, where the virus is most commonly found. For now, ADH has not released much information and has not confirmed the exact location of the first monkeypox in Arkansas.
The US to Roll Out Monkeypox Vaccines
The monkeypox outbreak in the US is growing and has now reached more than 500 confirmed cases as of July 5, according to CDC's 2022 US Map & Case Count for monkeypox. It shows that there is one case count in Arkansas.
Monkeypox can be prevented through vaccination. The US government has recently announced its plans to expand its vaccine response to reach people at higher risk of catching the virus, CNet reported.
The US Department of Health and Human Services announced that around 296,000 vaccine doses of Jynneos were approved to prevent smallpox and monkeypox and will be shipped in the coming weeks. There will be 56,000 doses available immediately and a total of 1.6 million doses will be released this year.
Health officials noted that the vaccines will be given to communities based on need. Eligible people for vaccination include those with "confirmed and presumed"monkeypox exposure, close contact with a diagnosed patient, men who have sexual relations with men, and those who believe they have been exposed to the virus.
RELATED ARTICLE: Singapore Confirms First Imported Monkeypox Case Since 2019; 13 Close Contacts Placed in Quarantine
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