What you need to know about monkeypox as first case is reported in Jackson-Madison County
Health officials on Thursday afternoon reported the first case of monkeypox in a Jackson-Madison County resident.
The department received the positive test results earlier Thursday, according to a press release, and will be notifying individuals who might have had close contact with the confirmed case while the patient was infectious.
The first case reported in the state of Tennessee occurred in early July in Davidson County.
"If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash one to four days later," the statement reads. "People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth."
Here's what you need to know about the disease.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare disease in the same family of viruses as smallpox, according to the CDC. Symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder. The disease is rarely fatal.
How do you contract monkeypox?
The CDC says the virus can spread from person to person through:
direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact
touching items like clothing or linens that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Infection may begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion before a rash appears. However, many cases in this year's outbreak have reported very mildly or no symptoms other than a rash, the release said.
"People should be alert for the appearance of new rashes characterized by sores, bumps, or fluid-filled bumps and seek medical evaluation if they have questions," an MPHD news release stated.
Monkeypox can spread from the first symptoms to the rash has fully healed and a new layer of skin has formed, according to the CDC. Most people recover in 2-4 days weeks.
'Bursts of sharp jabbing pain': What it's like to have monkeypox – and the fight against stigma
However, monkeypox can be serious in rare instances, especially for immunocompromised people, children, and those who are pregnant.
"People who do not have monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others," MPHD said in the release.
Symptoms can take up to 21 days to appear after exposure, so contacts of those with monkeypox are monitored for several weeks. More information on monkeypox can be found at cdc.gov/monkeypox or via the Tennessee Department of Health at tn.gov/health/cedep/reportable-diseases/monkeypox.
Is there a monkeypox vaccine?
More than 1.6 million vaccines to combat monkeypox will be released in the United States throughout the rest of the year, federal health officials announced last month. Anyone possibly exposed to the virus is encouraged to get vaccinated.
Monkeypox vaccine rollout: US to release at least 1.6 million vaccines to fight monkeypox by end of year, officials say
On June 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would release 56,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine immediately in areas where monkeypox transmission rates are high, followed by an additional 240,000 doses in the coming weeks. The vaccines will be distributed through a tier system, prioritizing areas with a high number of confirmed cases.
The move came as the U.S. recorded more than 300 cases of monkeypox across more than two dozen states.
Angele Latham contributed to this story.
Fantasia Harvey is a digital producer for the USA Today Network. You can follow her on Instagram @IamFantasiaNicole.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Monkeypox: What to know about the disease, vaccine and its symptoms
