Polk County reports first case of monkeypox

The Florida Department of Health has reported the first probable case of monkeypox in Polk County.

The case was identified last weekend, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County reported. State records show the infected person is in the 45-to-49 age range. The department does not list the genders of those diagnosed with the disease.

The origin of the infection is listed as unknown and acquired either in Florida or another state or country. The case remains isolated, the local health department said on Thursday.

“DOH-Polk is conducting epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis,” spokeswoman Pamela Acosta-Torres said by email.

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Acosta-Torres said the department is communicating with local acute-care hospitals and medical providers to share information and guidance.

The Department of Health has recorded 39 cases of monkeypox, with 25 of them in Broward County.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus that occurs mostly in central and western Africa but also elsewhere, according to the Florida Department of Health. The virus can pass from animals to humans.

Transmission between humans generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with an active rash or indirect contact with an active rash through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing, the department says.

Monkeypox typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the body and face, according to the Department of Health. The duration of the illness is usually two to four weeks.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Monkeypox: Florida health department reports first case in Polk County