St. Louis County identifies first probable monkeypox case in area. Here’s what to know
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed the discovery of the first probable monkeypox case in the area Wednesday.
The July 27 statement said health care professionals completed the patient’s initial testing Saturday and determined the likely case through epidemiological characteristics and a positive orthopoxvirus test.
County health professionals found in their investigation the patient was infected by having sex with someone who later tested positive for monkeypox. The statement also said the patient is an adult male.
“The person did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home in good condition,” the statement said.
The department of public health is working to identify people who may have been in close contact with the patient while infectious. Officials said there is no indication of risk of extensive local spread of the virus at this time.
Anyone who had contact with the patient and who also meets criteria for vaccination will be offered the vaccine, the department said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported six monkeypox cases across Missouri as of Wednesday. The agency has reported 385 cases in Illinois and 4,639 nationally.
Health officials recommend vaccination to anyone who’s been exposed to monkeypox. Two U.S. Food and Drug Administration-licensed vaccines are currently offered to prevent monkeypox infection, according to the CDC: JYNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) and ACAM2000.
There is a limited supply of JYNNEOS right now, though U.S. health authorities are set to distribute more doses soon. The CDC says there is an ample supply of ACAM2000, but it should not be used for people with certain health conditions, including pregnancy, a weakened immune system and skin conditions such as eczema.
People are considered fully vaccinated about two weeks after receiving the second of two JYNNEOS vaccines or four weeks after getting ACAM2000, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of monkeypox may include rash, fever, headache, muscle and back aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
People who have a rash and think they may have been exposed to monkeypox should see their health provider and discuss the possibility of testing and vaccination, health authorities say.
This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 12:05 PM.
