Monkeypox cases are rising in Texas: Here's what to know
Weeks after Texas officials identified the first case of monkeypox in the state, more than 70 confirmed cases of the pox-like disease have been identified by local health departments.
The first monkeypox case in Texas was reported in Dallas County on June 7. Since then, cases have been reported in counties across the state.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The symptoms are similar to smallpox, but milder and rarely fatal.
The case fatality rate is 3-6%, though the number of deaths has been higher in young children. It can sometimes be confused with chickenpox, shingles or sexually transmitted infections like syphilis or herpes, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
What are the symptoms of Monkeypox?
Symptoms of monkeypox may include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and a rash that looks like pimples or blisters on the face, mouth, hands, feet, chest or genitals, according to the CDC. Monkeypox can last two to four weeks.
"People who develop a rash should avoid direct contact with other people and contact their health care provider as soon as possible for next steps," the Texas DSHS said in a release. "Clinicians should consider monkeypox when they see patients with compatible symptoms and promptly report all suspected cases to their local public health department."
There's currently no approved treatment for monkeypox.
How is monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is spread by direct contact with the rash or items that previously touched the rash and bodily fluids, like saliva, or respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face contact.
Though many reported cases have been among gay and bisexual men, monkeypox can be acquired by all people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, the CDC states.
The Texas DSHS recommends avoiding contact with anyone with new or unknown rashes, lesions or scabs, and practicing good hand hygiene.
Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?
There is an FDA-approved vaccine for the virus called JYNNEOS, also known as Imvamune or Imvanex, but supply is limited in the U.S, according to the CDC. JYNNEOS is licensed by the FDA to prevent smallpox or monkeypox in people ages 18 years and older.
ACAM2000 is another approved vaccine for monkeypox, but is not recommended for people with weakened immune systems, skin conditions or pregnancy.
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These vaccines can also be administered as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to those identified by public health case investigation, contact tracing and risk exposure assessments, and those who have had a sexual partner diagnosed with monkeypox or multiple sexual partners in an area with known monkeypox in the past 14 days.
Monkeypox cases in Texas
On July 18, there were 1,469 confirmed cases of monkeypox across the country, according to the CDC. In Texas, there were more than 70. All of the reported cases in Texas were men.
Here are the monkeypox case numbers as of July 18.
Lubbock District (PHR 1): 1
Arlington District (PHR 2/3): 28
Tyler District (PHR 4/5): 0
Houston District (PHR 6/5): 27
Temple District (PHR 7): 18
San Antonio District (PHR 8): 2
El Paso District (PHR 9/10): 0
Harlingen District (PHR 11): 0
More:As monkeypox outbreak spreads, CDC pledges more vaccines. Here's what to know.
For more updates on the monkeypox virus in Texas, go to the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Monkeypox in Texas: Here's what to know about cases, vaccines and more
