Maine's first case of monkeypox identified in York County: Here's what you need to know

Staff Report
·4 min read
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YORK COUNTY — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention last week identified its first case of monkeypox in Maine.

“While this is the first case of monkeypox identified in Maine, Maine CDC has been preparing for a case for several weeks given the international outbreak,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “This disease is rare and the risk to the general public remains low."

The person who tested positive for the virus, according to the CDC, is a male resident of York County. No further information about the individual will be released to protect patient privacy.

According to the U.S. CDC monkeypox outbreak tracker, as of July 21, 2022, there have been 2,593 identified cases of monkeypox across the United States and a total of 15,848 cases across 72 countries, globally.
According to the U.S. CDC monkeypox outbreak tracker, as of July 21, 2022, there have been 2,593 identified cases of monkeypox across the United States and a total of 15,848 cases across 72 countries, globally.

"Maine CDC is working with the individual to identify close contacts and provide them access to vaccination,” Shah said.

Maine has received a monkeypox vaccine called Jynneos from the federal government, with sufficient doses to vaccinate 311 people. Maine CDC is making the vaccine available to close contacts of identified cases as well as those at risk of transmitting monkeypox or becoming severely ill. Those who believe they may have been exposed or who have a new or unexplained rash or lesions should contact a health care provider to be evaluated, tested, and potentially referred to Maine CDC public health nursing for vaccination.

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The current global outbreak of monkeypox began in May. New Hampshire reported its first case in June.

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According to the U.S. CDC monkeypox outbreak tracker, as of July 21, 2022, there have been 2,593 identified cases of monkeypox across the United States and a total of 15,848 cases across 72 countries, globally.

The following frequently asked questions is from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

“While this is the first case of monkeypox identified in Maine, Maine CDC has been preparing for a case for several weeks given the international outbreak,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “This disease is rare and the risk to the general public remains low."
“While this is the first case of monkeypox identified in Maine, Maine CDC has been preparing for a case for several weeks given the international outbreak,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “This disease is rare and the risk to the general public remains low."

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. Transmission of monkeypox requires close interaction with a symptomatic person, such as physical, skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual contact. It can cause a rash or sores (pox) and is sometimes preceded by a flu-like illness. Monkeypox can be painful and disfiguring, and in rare cases leads to severe illness and hospitalization. It is rarely fatal.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. The rash goes through different stages before healing completely.

Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.

Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash. Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after infection. The illness typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

See a healthcare provider if you notice a new or unexplained rash or other monkeypox symptoms. Avoid close contact (including intimate physical contact) with others until a healthcare provider examines you.

If your test result is positive, stay isolated until your rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.

What treatments are available for monkeypox?

There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. However, because of genetic similarities in the viruses, antiviral drugs used to treat smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox infections.

Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.

Should people be concerned about going to crowded events?

People can get monkeypox if they have close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox. Early indications are that events with activities in which people engage in close, sustained skin-to-skin contact have resulted in cases of monkeypox. If you plan to attend an event, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur there.

Can my pet get monkeypox?

Monkeypox is zoonotic, meaning it can spread between animals and people. However, CDC does not currently believe that monkeypox poses a high risk to pets. They are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

However, the CDC still recommends that people with monkeypox avoid interacting with animals and find someone else to take care of their pets while they recover.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine's first case of monkeypox identified in York County