Washington state confirms first case of monkeypox

Shawn Garrett
·1 min read
2

The first confirmed case of monkeypox in Washington state was confirmed by the Washington State Department of Health and Public Health – Seattle & King County on Friday.

The affected King County resident did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home.

Health department officials are determining if others may have been exposed.

People who had close or intimate exposure to an affected person with monkeypox should be advised to get a monkeypox vaccine.

“Despite the news of multiple cases nationwide, monkeypox is a very rare disease in the United States and the Washington resident who tested positive does not pose a public health risk,” said Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah.

Transmission of monkeypox typically involves close physical contact with an affected person.

According to the CDC, brief interactions that do not involve physical contact and health care interactions with protective equipment are not at high risk.

More information about monkeypox can be found on the PHSKC blog.