Two confirmed cases of monkeypox in Cincinnati: What we know

Brook Endale, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
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Cincinnati has two confirmed positive cases of monkeypox, according to the Cincinnati Health Department. Here's what we know so far.

Assistant Health Commissioner Maryse Amin confirmed Tuesday night that there are two reports of positive monkeypox cases in Cincinnati.

The cases were identified through the patients’ healthcare providers and specimens have been forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.

The providers requested and received monkeypox vaccines from the national stockpile, and those vaccines were administered to the patients’ close contacts, according to Enquirer Media partner Fox 19.

How many monkeypox cases are there in our area?

The CDC reports 17 cases of monkeypox in Ohio and 3,591 nationwide. According to the CDC’s case map, Kentucky has six cases and Indiana has 33.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a viral illness that typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Cases recently identified across the country appear less likely to have the initial symptoms of flu-like illness or lymph node swelling and the rash, which may look like pimples or blisters, may also stay contained to a particular part of the body.

The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency for the virus last weekend.

What are the symptoms?

The CDC says symptoms of monkeypox can include:

  • Fever.

  • Headache.

  • Muscle aches and backache.

  • Swollen lymph nodes.

  • Chills.

  • Exhaustion.

  • A rash that can look like pimples or blisters and can appear on the face, inside the mouth and other parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus.

Examples of monkeypox rashes.
Examples of monkeypox rashes.

How does monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox can spread during intimate contact between people, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, cuddling, or touching parts of the body with monkeypox sores, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

The virus is in the same family of viruses as that which causes smallpox. The symptoms are similar to smallpox but less severe. Most cases result in mild illness, and fatalities are rare. Symptoms usually last two to four weeks.

What should I do if I experience symptoms?

The Ohio Department of Health strongly recommends that anyone who is experiencing symptoms of an unexplained rash (lesions on any part of the body) contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. People who are feeling ill should stay home.

Persons who only have flu-like symptoms without rash should get tested for COVID-19. Ill persons should wear a mask when seeking care or if they are not able to isolate from others.

There are two vaccines approved for use in people who have been exposed to monkeypox. Access to both is currently limited, though the CDC expects more in the coming weeks and months.

Enquirer Media partner Fox 19 contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Two confirmed cases of monkeypox in Cincinnati, health officials say