Mass. DPH reports 8 new monkeypox cases
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced eight additional cases of monkeypox in adult men within the past week.
Mass. DPH reports 6 new monkeypox cases
All of the men are currently “isolating to prevent spread to others,” according to DPH.
This brings the total number of monkeypox cases in Massachusetts to 21. The first case was announced last month on May 18.
First case of monkeypox confirmed in Massachusetts
The state says it will be releasing weekly updates on monkeypox.
The six cases announced Thursday were diagnosed between June 23 and June 29.
“DPH is working with local health officials, the patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious,” according to a statement by DPH.
Current data from CDC indicate that there have been 351 cases of monkeypox virus this year in US residents. Updated case counts can be obtained on the CDC’s website: 2022 U.S. Map and Case Count. There have been no deaths in the US or globally related to this outbreak and patients generally recover fully in 2-4 weeks.
“Although many of the early cases were associated with international travel, recent cases are not,” according to DPH. “Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men make up a large proportion of the cases identified to date. However, the risk is not limited to the LGBTQ community, and anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.”
How monkeypox spreads:
-Direct skin-to-skin contact with rash lesions. Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing while a person is infected.
-Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone. Sharing towels or unwashed clothing.
-Respiratory secretions through face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox).
Monkeypox does not spread through, or casual conversations, according to health officials.
Monkeypox symptoms:
-Early symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, but rash may be the first symptom.
-Rash lesions start flat, become raised, fill with clear fluid (vesicles), and then become pustules (filled with pus).
-A person with monkeypox can have many lesions or may have only a few. Learn more about how to recognize monkeypox.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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