Year’s Second Case of Monkeypox Discovered in Maryland

Nov. 23, 2021

Health authorities have confirmed {that a} Maryland resident who not too long ago returned from Nigeria has monkeypox, making it the second case of the uncommon however doubtlessly deadly viral sickness discovered within the United States this yr.

So far, the individual has proven solely delicate signs, the Maryland Department of Health stated in a information launch issued final week. The individual is isolating and has not been hospitalized.

“Public health authorities have identified and continue to follow up with those who may have been in contact with the diagnosed individual,” Jinlene Chan, MD, division deputy secretary for public well being, stated within the launch. “Our response in close coordination with CDC officials demonstrates the importance of maintaining a strong public health infrastructure.”

People who got here involved with the contaminated individual, together with different airline passengers, are being contacted, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in an announcement. Because the air vacationers wore face masks, there’s a low risk the virus unfold by way of respiratory droplets, the CDC stated.

In July, monkeypox was found in Texas in a traveler who’d come from Nigeria. That individual was hospitalized, the CDC stated in July. His present situation shouldn’t be recognized. People who got here involved him have been traced.

Monkeypox begins with flu-like signs and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and physique, the CDC says. The illness is often delicate and causes much less extreme sickness than smallpox however could be deadly in about 10% of circumstances.

Monkeypox was first found in 1958 when outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys being held for analysis in Africa, based on the CDC. It re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017 after greater than 40 years with no reported circumstances.

Since 2017, 218 circumstances of monkeypox have been confirmed in Nigeria, the CDC stated. Eight circumstances have been detected in worldwide vacationers from Nigeria, together with the Texas and Maryland circumstances, the CDC stated.

WebMD Health News

Sources

Maryland Department of Health. “Travel-Associated Monkeypox virus an infection confirmed in Maryland resident”

 

CDC. Imported Monkeypox case Reported in Maryland

 

CDC. CDC and Texas Confirm Monkeypox In U.S. Traveler

© 2021 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.