TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas health officials say they have identified the state’s first alleged smallpox case.
The Kansas Department of Health and the Environment said Saturday that the patient is an adult resident of Johnson County who recently traveled out of state. The department said the risk of infection remains low for the general public.
“The risk of spreading monkeypox in Kansas remains low,” KDHE secretary Janet Stanek said in a press release. “If you have symptoms of monkeypox disease, it is important that you stay home and contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to avoid spreading the disease to other people.”
Symptoms to look for:
- Fever
- Headache
- A rash resembling grains or blisters
- Muscle aches
- swollen lymph nodes
- Shivers
- Exhaustion
KDHE recommends that anyone with monkeypox symptoms contact their healthcare provider immediately.
The monkeypox vaccine is available for those with known exposure to someone else with a case of monkeypox. However, the supply of vaccines is extremely limited in the United States. KDHE will expand eligibility as additional doses become available.
If you have questions about the monkeypox virus, you can call 1-866-KDHEINF (534-3463) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email your questions.
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