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Monkeypox cases continue to climb, with a few counties in Florida reporting large increases.
As of Aug. 8, the Florida Department of Health has reported 938 confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox in 28 counties, according to its tracker at flhealthcharts.gov. A week ago, the state reported 442 cases in 22 counties, a jump of 496 probable or confirmed cases of monkeypox here since Aug. 1.
It should be noted that the number of cases in Florida varies from what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. The CDC, for example, shows 633 confirmed cases for the Sunshine State. According to the CDC, here is an overview of confirmed cases in the United States and Florida over the past few weeks:
- As of August 8, the CDC lists 7,510 confirmed cases of monkeypox/orthopoxvirus in the United States and 633 in Florida.
- As of August 1, the CDC had reported 5,189 confirmed cases in the United States and 373 cases in Florida.
- As of July 22, the CDC had reported 2,891 cases in the United States
A presumptive positive case was first announced in Florida on May 22.
The USA TODAY Network-Florida has been compiling weekly reports on monkeypox cases since the week of July 20, when the state Department of Health reported 226 cases here and the CDC reported 1,470 nationwide.
Check back with us for more monkeypox coverage, including case counts, vaccine information, or general questions about this virus.
Monkey pox symptoms:Is your rash a symptom of chickenpox, shingles or monkeypox? How to know if the virus is spreading in Florida
July 20 Florida monkeypox report:226 probable or confirmed cases reported in bulk in Broward, Miami-Dade
Top 5 Florida counties for monkeypox cases
According to the Florida Department of Health tracker, here are the top 5 counties reporting confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox:
- Broward
- Miami Dade
- Orange
- palm beach
- pinelles
Pictures of monkeypox, skin lesions: What the rare disease looks like
Case of monkeypox in Florida
Here is a list of the total number of cases by county with notes in the increases and the first case. This information comes from the Florida Department of Health’s reportable disease incidence report, with data from May 22 through August 7:
Alachua, 1
Brevard, 4 (plus 3 since August 1, when monkeypox was first detected here)
Broward, 330 (up 119 since Aug. 1; up 131 since July 25)
*Charlotte, 1
*Clay, 1
Collier, 3 (unchanged since July 25)
Duval, 7 (3 more than Aug. 1; cases were first detected here the week of July 25)
Flagler, 1 (unchanged since August 1, when a case of monkeypox was detected here)
July 29:Flagler County reports first case of monkeypox
Hillsborough, 37 (up to 27 from August 1)
Lake, 3 (up to 1 since August 1)
Lee, 6 (plus 3 since August 1)
Martin, 4 (up to 2 since August 1, when 2 possible or confirmed cases of monkeypox were detected here)
1st of August :Martin County reports 2 cases of monkeypox
Miami-Dade, 367 (up 259 cases since Aug. 1; a week before that, cases rose to 35 since July 25)
Monroe, 13 (plus 1 since Aug. 1)
Orange, 54 (up 28 from August 1; a week before that, cases rose to 9 from July 25)
Osceola, 4 (plus 1 since August 1, when monkeypox was first detected here)
Palm Beach, 43 (16 more than Aug. 1; the previous week, the county reported 17 possible or confirmed cases)
Pasco, 3 (plus 2 since August 1, when monkeypox was first detected here)
Pinellas, 36 (18 more than Aug. 1; the previous week the county reported 5 possible or confirmed cases)
Polk, 4 (plus 1 since Aug. 1)
Sainte-Rose, 1
Sarasota, 1
Seminole, 6 (plus 3 since August 1)
*St. Lucia, 1
5 August :First case of monkeypox reported in St. Lucie County, third in Treasure Coast area
Volusia, 3 years old (plus 2 since August 1)
July 29:Volusia County reports first case of monkeypox
* denotes the first confirmed or probable cases for the county since the July 25 USA TODAY Network-Florida report, using state health department statistics
Previous USA TODAY Network-Florida reports for monkeypox
Monkeypox symptoms, vaccines and other information
Below are some common questions associated with monkeypox and other things to know. The USA TODAY Network-Florida will produce a weekly report on the virus, affected counties and case counts each Monday using statistics from the Florida Department of Health and CDC.
The Florida Department of Health has reported more confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox in more than 20 counties. A week ago, the state reported 442 cases in 22 counties. The first suspected case was reported here on May 22.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Symptoms of monkeypox are milder than those of smallpox, according to the CDC.
It starts with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Within 1-3 days of the fever, the patient develops a rash, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The incubation period (time between infection and symptoms) is usually 7 to 14 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days.
How is monkeypox transmitted?
Possible human-to-human transmission includes:
• to cough. If an infected person coughs, it can spread through respiratory droplets through the eyes, nose or mouth.
• animals. The virus can be transmitted through a bite, scratch or bodily fluids. Rodents are the main source.
• broken skin. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, even if the cut is not visible.
Is monkeypox a homosexual disease?
No. Although the latter majority of monkeypox can be transmitted through close or intimate contact, it does not have to be, and the virus can spread to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. In the United States, at least two children in close contact with infected family members have been diagnosed with it.
When should I get tested?
The CDC and Florida Department of Health recommend testing if you see any suspicious skin lesions or have had close personal contact with someone who may have a confirmed or probable case.
Is there a monkeypox vaccine?
Yes. CDC says: “Because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, vaccines developed to protect against smallpox viruses can be used to prevent monkeypox infections. The US government has stockpiled two vaccines – JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 – which can prevent monkeypox in exposed people Vaccines may be recommended for people who have had or might have contact with someone with monkeypox, or for health and public health workers who may be exposed to the virus.
To look closer: Increase in monkeypox cases reported in the United States and around the world raises concerns
Monkeypox hotline
If health care providers suspect a possible case of monkeypox, contact your county health department immediately through the Florida Department of Health website or the 24/7 Illness Reporting Hotline at 850-245-4401.
Contributor: USA TODAY
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