NORTH CAROLINA – Health officials on Thursday confirmed the first case of monkeypox in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said it found the case by testing at the State Public Health Laboratory. Atrium Health said the case was not in Charlotte.
“The number of cases of monkeypox has been growing in the United States and around the world,” said Dr. Zack Moore, a state epidemiologist and head of the epidemiology section. “While this is the first confirmed case in North Carolina, we know there are probably other cases in the state. We are encouraging doctors to consider it in people who have a rash or skin injury. that looks like the smallpox of the monkey “.
We are working closely with CDCs, LHDs, and relevant health care providers to identify and notify people who may have been in contact with the patient while they were infectious.
People can take basic steps to prevent the spread of monkeypox. More: pic.twitter.com/TyD84fRMMN
– NCDHHS (@ncdhhs) June 23, 2022
NCDHHS said it works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to notify people who may have been in contact with the person who was infected. This person is currently isolated at home.
There are no confirmed cases of monkeypox in Mecklenburg County, the health department said. However, the county is preparing to offer the smallpox vaccine in cases of limited smallpox exposure. The smallpox vaccine is for monkeypox.
I am told that the first case of smallpox in North Carolina is not found in Mecklenburg County. I am also told that the county health department is preparing to potentially offer the smallpox vaccine at job shows and known close contacts @wsoctv https://t.co/hipLiPIaM8
– Joe Bruno (@ JoeBrunoWSOC9) June 24, 2022
New York City offers it to men who have sex with men (MSM). Health officials in Mecklenburg County said they are not yet offering it to the MSM group.
As of May 2022, there have been 3,308 cases of monkeypox identified worldwide, with 156 cases identified in the United States. There were no deaths released by the outbreak, according to NCDHHS.
Health officials said monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral disease that typically includes flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that includes bumps that initially fill with fluid before the crust.
More information on monkeypox can be found on the CDC website.
(SEE Below: Monkeypox: What You Need to Know)
Monkeypox: What You Need to Know (NCD)
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