City warns of monkeypox spread in Texas

Staff reports
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An illustration of monkeypox virus particles. This virus, endemic to the rainforests in Central and West Africa, causes disease in humans and monkeys, although its natural hosts are rodents.
An illustration of monkeypox virus particles. This virus, endemic to the rainforests in Central and West Africa, causes disease in humans and monkeys, although its natural hosts are rodents.

The Texas Department of State Health Services and some health departments across the state have identified multiple cases of monkeypox in Texas in people who did not travel outside the state, according to a release from the city of Wichita Falls.

Monkeypox testing has resulted in identifying 12 monkeypox cases in Texas. The first cases did involve international travel, but three patients reported that they did not travel outside of Texas.

Monkeypox is a viral illness that starts with symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. Soon after, a rash that can look like pimples or blisters appears. The rash often appears first on the face and inside the mouth and then spreads to other parts of the body.

No cases have been reported in Wichita Falls.

Monkeypox can spread from person to person through direct contact with the rash, scabs, or bodily fluids like saliva.

Any suspected cases should be reported to the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Health District at at 940-761-7800.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City warns of monkeypox spread in Texas