Monkeypox case confirmed in Pueblo County

Justin Reutter, The Pueblo Chieftain
·4 min read

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed a positive monkeypox case in Pueblo County.

The state health department has started a case investigation and is contact tracing. The infected individual in Pueblo is currently isolating in their home.

“The presence of this virus in Pueblo County is unwelcome news, but not a surprise, and I am hopeful this person recovers quickly,” said Randy Evetts, public health director at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. “We have been closely following the global spread of hMPXV (the human version of the monkeypox virus) and continue to maintain close communication with experts from CDPHE.”

Individuals who are identified through contact tracing will be provided with a vaccine for the virus, said Sophia Montoya, a Pueblo health department epidemiologist.

Closer look: Rising reports of monkeypox cases in US and around the world raise concern

JYNNEOS, a vaccine manufactured by Bavarian Nordic and approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, is available in limited supply for those who have been exposed to the viral outbreak, Montoya said.

"Within the first four days of being in contact (with a positive individual), it can possibly stop someone from getting monkeypox, and within 12 days it would help mitigate the symptoms so they'd be less severe," Montoya said.

Human monkeypox virus is an Orthopoxvirus genus that also includes smallpox and cowpoxviruses. Symptoms are like smallpox symptoms, but milder, and are uncomfortable but rarely fatal — the version of monkeypox spreading right now in non-endemic countries like the U.S. has a fatality rate of less than 1%, according to the Colorado health department.

Virus symptoms, according to the state health department, include:

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Muscle and back aches

  • Chills

  • Exhaustion

  • Respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat, cough or nasal congestion

  • A rash, commonly on the genitals or anus but also on other areas of the body such as hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. A rash related to monkeypox will go through several stages, including scabbing, before healing. The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

The incubation period for monkeypox is typically seven to 14 days but can range from five to 21 days, according to the state health department. Most people recover within two to four weeks.

Montoya noted that the disease is less transmissible than COVID-19 — transmission through respiratory droplets is possible but requires a prolonged interaction, as opposed to COVID-19, which can potentially be transmitted in minutes — and is primarily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, contact with body fluids, or prolonged face-to-face contact, rather than airborne transmission.

However, monkeypox can also be contracted through contact with objects; fabrics such as clothing, bedding or towels; and surfaces that have been used by someone who has the virus.

"If you think you may have been infected, the best thing you can do is contact your health provider," Montoya said.

More:Monkeypox cases in each state: California, New York declare emergencies as outbreak grows

If you do not have a primary care physician, call the Pueblo Community Health Center or an urgent care or call 211 to find other local resources.

Anyone with symptoms is urged to isolate.

Colorado will receive more monkeypox vaccines from the federal government in the near future, according to the county health department, and preventive vaccines will become more widely available.

“Monkeypox has recently spread internationally. It is endemic in Central and West Africa. ... This is the first significant outbreak in the United States and has generated national public interest," Evetts said.

"The fact that we have a confirmed case in Pueblo County is not alarming; in general, monkeypox poses a low risk for the population. However, as the public health department, it is our duty to provide information to the public about any health concerns. We want to make sure our community knows where to find information and who to contact if there is the need."

The monkeypox virus has been spreading in the U.S. and globally. To date, there have been 5,189 cases identified in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Worldwide, there have been over 22,400 cases during the current outbreak.

Epidemiological data on recent cases suggests there may be a heightened risk for people who have recently traveled to a country where monkeypox has been reported or for men who have sex with other men, according to the Colorado health department.

“Anyone can get monkeypox — men, women and children. While some communities are at higher risk currently, we should not stigmatize this disease and must work to assure that anyone who is exposed is comfortable seeking care," Evetts said.

For more information about monkeypox, visit pueblohealth.org/monkeypox.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at Jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Monkeypox case confirmed in Pueblo County