Patient treated for probable case of monkeypox at Christus Spohn Shoreline

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·1 min read

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that the patient was diagnosed with a probable case of monkeypox.

Christus Spohn Shoreline recently treated a 20-year-old man who was diagnosed with a probable case of monkeypox — a first for the Corpus Christi area.

Christus Health spokeswoman Gloria Madera confirmed the patient has been discharged.

Dr. Dante Gonzalez, assistant director of the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District, confirmed the patient resides in Nueces County.

Officials did not clarify when the patient was admitted or discharged.

The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District announced it had received vaccines for the virus on Aug. 12.

This digitally colorized electron microscopic image depicts monkeypox virus particles.
This digitally colorized electron microscopic image depicts monkeypox virus particles.

Nueces County residents who had recent close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact with a confirmed monkeypox infection and men who are 18 or older who have sex with men and have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the past 21 days are eligible for the vaccine.

The vaccine is not for those with confirmed cases or symptoms of monkeypox.

More:Monkeypox cases are rising in Texas: Here's what to know

As of Thursday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said there are 16,926 confirmed cases of monkeypox. Texas ranks fourth with 1,432 cases.

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.

To schedule an appointment to be screened for a monkeypox vaccine, call the health district at 361-826-7200.

RELATED COVERAGE

More:Limited monkeypox vaccines are now available in Nueces County. Here's how to get them.

More:As monkeypox outbreak spreads, CDC pledges more vaccines. Here's what to know.

John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Patient treated for probable case of monkeypox at Christus Spohn Shoreline