There are 2 confirmed monkeypox cases in Missouri, but none in Greene County yet
On June 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Missouri.
The patient was a Kansas City, Missouri, resident who had traveled out of state, according to the Kansas City Health Department.
There have not been any reported cases in Greene County yet.
"While there are no confirmed cases in Greene County, Springfield-Greene County Health is working with our hospitals partners as well as the state to make the necessary preparations," the Springfield-Greene County Health Department said in a statement.
The SGCHD has put together a web page with details about the virus at https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5634/Monkeypox.
There have been 201 confirmed cases in the United States, and 4,106 cases worldwide, according to the CDC's most recent information.
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The risk to the general public is considered low at this time, since monkeypox is rare and doesn't spread easily without being in close contact with someone who is symptomatic.
On June 21 @CDCgov confirmed the 1st case of monkeypox virus in Missouri in a KC resident w/recent out-of-state travel history.
Please remember monkeypox is rare and does not spread easily between people without close contact. Our staff has been trained to look out for symptoms. pic.twitter.com/ORJK6ghCPT— KCMO Health Dept (@KCMOHealthDept) June 22, 2022
The virus, which is in the same genus as smallpox and cowpox, can spread by close, personal contact and by touching items or bedding that have been used by someone who is symptomatic.
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Symptoms include fever and headaches, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes and a rash, bumps or blisters on the body.
Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Health dept.: No monkeypox cases in Greene County yet
