Three monkeypox cases tied to Brockton. Here's what we know.

Chris Helms, The Enterprise
·1 min read
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BROCKTON — There have been three cases of monkeypox in or connected to Brockton as of Wednesday.

One case involved a city resident, said Eno Mondesir, executive director of the Board of Health. The other two involved people who had interactions in Brockton, he said Wednesday.

Mondesir said that if people notice blisters or skin rashes, they should have themselves checked by their doctor.

Because of the city's low incidence of the disease, as of Wednesday state health officials were not stocking the monkeypox vaccine at Brockton pharmacies. If you meet the eligibility requirements for the vaccine, it is available nearby in Randolph, New Bedford and multiple locations in Boston.

Board of Health Executive Health Officer Eno Mondesir, MD, center, Greg Davis, Brewster Director of Health, left, and Mayor Robert Sullivan, during a press conference at the Shaw's Center in Brockton for Covid-19 booster vaccines on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021.
Board of Health Executive Health Officer Eno Mondesir, MD, center, Greg Davis, Brewster Director of Health, left, and Mayor Robert Sullivan, during a press conference at the Shaw's Center in Brockton for Covid-19 booster vaccines on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021.

Mondesir urged people who think they may have been exposed to to avoid close contact with individuals.

Massachusetts has had 409 confirmed or probable cases as of Oct. 6, according to the most recent state data. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health releases new monkeypox data each Thursday at 5 p.m.

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"Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact," the state agency said on its website. "Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk, but data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up a high number of cases."

The rare disease has claimed the lives of two people nationwide as of Sept. 30, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Residents with questions about monkeypox are invited to call the Board of Health at 508-580-7175.

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This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton monkeypox: Three cases tied to city