Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 6, 2024 23:29:25 GMT
First mpox case, formerly monkeypox, reported in Erie County in two years. What to know - Published Aug 5, 2024
Erie County has reported its first case of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in nearly two years.
At least one case of the viral illness was identified by the Erie County Department of Health between April and June. The County Health Department does not specify case totals fewer than five due to patient privacy concerns.
Health officials also declined to name the date or dates the cases were reported, citing the same privacy concerns.
Ten mpox cases were reported in the county between June and September 2022, during the height of a global outbreak. No deaths due to mpox have been reported in the county, a County Health Department spokesman said.
"We have seen a rise in mpox cases throughout the nation, so there is a trend of it coming back," said Dalen Hooks, Erie clinical director of the Central Outreach Wellness Center, 3104 State St., which offers free mpox testing and vaccinations. "I'm not surprised to see a new case in Erie County."
Mpox comes from the same family of viruses as smallpox. It is spread by close, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, such as hugging or sex, or direct contact with contaminated items, such as an infected person's clothing.
Most cases involve men who have sex with other men, but others have been diagnosed as well.
"The most noticeable symptoms are lesions, which are sometimes found in the genital area," said Dr. Martin Vandort, a Saint Vincent Hospital infectious diseases specialist. "The lesions can be very painful."
A person can also develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache and chills.
Does mpox cause severe illness?
The survival rate for the most common type of mpox, clade II, is greater than 99%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A strain found primarily in Africa, clade I, causes more severe illness and has a survival rate of about 90%.
Most people recover from mpox without medical treatment, though those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness.
"That includes people with HIV and those taking chemotherapy," Vandort said. "Children (younger than 1) are also at risk because they haven't yet been exposed to a high number of diseases."
Who is most at-risk of contracting mpox?
Antivirals, including Tecovirimat, can be given to people with severe illness. There is also a vaccine available to those at higher risk of contracting mpox. They include:
People with known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox.
Those who had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox.
A man who has had sex with another man diagnosed within the past 6 months with a sexually transmitted disease or who has had multiple sex partners.
To schedule mpox testing or vaccination, contact Central Outreach Wellness Center at 814-619-4009. The County Health Department also offers mpox vaccines and appointments can be scheduled by calling 814-451-6700.
Erie County has reported its first case of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in nearly two years.
At least one case of the viral illness was identified by the Erie County Department of Health between April and June. The County Health Department does not specify case totals fewer than five due to patient privacy concerns.
Health officials also declined to name the date or dates the cases were reported, citing the same privacy concerns.
Ten mpox cases were reported in the county between June and September 2022, during the height of a global outbreak. No deaths due to mpox have been reported in the county, a County Health Department spokesman said.
"We have seen a rise in mpox cases throughout the nation, so there is a trend of it coming back," said Dalen Hooks, Erie clinical director of the Central Outreach Wellness Center, 3104 State St., which offers free mpox testing and vaccinations. "I'm not surprised to see a new case in Erie County."
Mpox comes from the same family of viruses as smallpox. It is spread by close, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, such as hugging or sex, or direct contact with contaminated items, such as an infected person's clothing.
Most cases involve men who have sex with other men, but others have been diagnosed as well.
"The most noticeable symptoms are lesions, which are sometimes found in the genital area," said Dr. Martin Vandort, a Saint Vincent Hospital infectious diseases specialist. "The lesions can be very painful."
A person can also develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache and chills.
Does mpox cause severe illness?
The survival rate for the most common type of mpox, clade II, is greater than 99%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A strain found primarily in Africa, clade I, causes more severe illness and has a survival rate of about 90%.
Most people recover from mpox without medical treatment, though those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness.
"That includes people with HIV and those taking chemotherapy," Vandort said. "Children (younger than 1) are also at risk because they haven't yet been exposed to a high number of diseases."
Who is most at-risk of contracting mpox?
Antivirals, including Tecovirimat, can be given to people with severe illness. There is also a vaccine available to those at higher risk of contracting mpox. They include:
People with known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox.
Those who had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox.
A man who has had sex with another man diagnosed within the past 6 months with a sexually transmitted disease or who has had multiple sex partners.
To schedule mpox testing or vaccination, contact Central Outreach Wellness Center at 814-619-4009. The County Health Department also offers mpox vaccines and appointments can be scheduled by calling 814-451-6700.