MUNCIE, Ind. – The number of monkeypox cases in Indiana had reached 62 cases on Thursday, up from 45 the previous Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control. These figures included at least two pediatric cases.
The disease, widely spread by skin-to-skin contact, has been spreading in the United States since May 17, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began its response to the outbreak in the United States. The spread has been global, with Europe in focus. of hatching. The World Health Organization declared monkeypox a “global emergency” in late July.
Megan Wade-Taxter, spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Health, said the agency does not currently have monkeypox data broken down to the county or regional level. She had no information about the presence of the disease in east-central Indiana.
After:Biden administration declares monkeypox a public health emergency
By the end of July, Marion County was reporting 17 suspected cases of monkeypox there, The Indianapolis Star reported. Cases have also arisen elsewhere in the state; the Tippecanoe County Health Department announced July 28 that the county had three confirmed but “mild” cases of monkeypox, and just days before St. Joseph County announced its first confirmed case.
Is the monkeypox vaccine available near me? Maybe, but supply is key
Last week, Indiana received 3,232 doses of the Jynneos vaccine used to fight monkeypox. Due to limited vaccine supplies, vaccines are initially prioritized for those in close contact with positive cases to prevent serious illness, according to IDOH.
An additional vaccine is expected soon in the state, according to an IDOH statement. Vaccine eligibility will be extended to groups at high risk of exposure as supplies increase.
Is monkeypox an STD?
Jammie Bane, administrator of the Delaware County Health Department, said monkeypox poses a general risk to the population.
“Our citizens need to be aware that anyone can get monkeypox,” he said in an email. “This appears to be an equal opportunity virus that is spread primarily through direct contact. However, epidemiological data suggests that a smaller subset of our population is at higher risk so far in this outbreak. .”
Pandemic update:Flat Delaware County New COVID Cases; Indiana cases up 5.8%
Some 99.1% of the total confirmed cases were men, and 98.4% of those men reported male-to-male sexual contact, Bane said.
“Some patients report very mild symptoms and because of this fail to protect others by avoiding contact,” he said. “Skin lesions tend to be the main symptom people associate with monkeypox. These lesions can be obvious, but they can also appear benign like a number of other common rashes or skin conditions.”
Bane said understanding the common symptoms and risk factors for monkeypox is helpful to avoid getting monkeypox.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, has advised those most at risk to consider cutting back on their sex partners.
Modification of works:Some Indiana smokehouses are turning to marijuana-related sales
“It means making safe choices for yourself and for others, for men who have sex with men,” Tedros told The Associated Press. “That includes, for now, reducing your number of sexual partners.”
‘Monkeypox is not easily spread by casual brief contact, but it is important to remember that anyone can be affected if they come into close contact with a positive case,’ the health commissioner said. ‘Indiana, Kris Box, in a statement. “Hoosiers who believe they have been exposed or develop symptoms consistent with monkeypox are urged to contact a health care provider.”
How is the monkeypox virus spread?
Marshall Glesby, an infectious disease specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, told USA Today the disease can be transmitted to anyone; for example, two children in the United States contracted monkeypox through close contact with infected family members.
Legislation:Muncie lawmakers face complex issues in special session on abortion
The contagion is part of the same virus family as smallpox, according to IDOH. Symptoms are similar to smallpox, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.
In addition to contact with rash, scabs, or body fluids from someone with monkeypox, spread can also occur by touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by a person with monkeypox or by contact with respiratory secretions. WHO officials said anyone in close contact with a patient or their contaminated clothing or bedding was at risk.
Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a smallpox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence its name, the CDC said. Rodents and non-human primates (such as monkeys) can harbor the virus and infect humans.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
According to the CDC, symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain and back pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Respiratory symptoms (for example, sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
- A rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus, but may also be found on other areas such as the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth.
The UN health agency has warned that the disease could be more severe in children and pregnant women.
Bane said the county health department encourages anyone with concerns to visit in.gov/health/monkeypox for more detailed information and to register at http://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/lUaRCL91K8fNgKqw7TPqxxp ?domain=bit.ly to be notified of clinic opportunities in the ECI area.
To date, according to the CDC, approximately 25,391 cases have been reported in more than 83 countries and 6,325 cases have been reported in the United States.
STAY INFORMED AND SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe today using the link at the top of this page.