Cases of monkeypox continue to rise in Minnesota and across the country. There are now 5,189 infections nationwide in all but three states.
“I think I heard the word monkey pox and I got it and that’s how fast it happened,” Kyle Benter said. “Now it’s spreading even faster.”
Benter has been fighting the virus for about two weeks, after having contact with a friend who also tested positive.
“I actually got it from contact with literally one person,” Benter said. “A lot of people think their people have a lot of sex, touch a lot of people, go to clubs, go to parties or whatever.”
The University of Minnesota graduate now lives in Chicago. She said the symptoms started with exhaustion and chills, but she didn’t initially think she was getting sick. During a routine doctor’s visit, her doctor discovered a swollen lymph node. Benter said the lesions soon began appearing all over his body.
(KSTP-TV)
“Every day he told me, ‘It’s going to get better, tomorrow it’s going to get better,'” she said. “And it’s getting worse and worse.”
The pain was so intense that Benter went to the emergency room.
“I said, ‘Can I, for God’s sake, get something for the pain because it’s so unbearable right now, it’s excruciating that it’s affecting every aspect of my life, I can’t even sleep well,'” she described.
Illinois has reported more than 400 cases, the third highest state in the country. The number of infections in Minnesota has grown from 19 to 33 cases in one week.
“Most cases are among gays, bisexuals and men who have sex with men,” said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist. “It happened that it is currently circulating in this group, but it can happen to anyone who has close physical contact.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, most of the cases are in the Twin Cities metro area. A case has now also been identified in Greater Minnesota. The infections have been among men aged 18 to 55, with an average age of 37.
“If you or your partner have been sick recently, are currently sick, or have a new or unexplained rash, avoid skin-to-skin contact, including sex, and see a health care provider,” she said Dr. Lynfield.
The virus is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, including direct contact with a monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox. According to Dr. Lynfield, it can also be spread by contact with fabrics, such as bedding, clothing or towels, that were used by an infected person. In addition, respiratory droplets can transmit the disease from one person to another.
A vaccine is available for those who have been exposed or are at increased risk of exposure.
According to MDH, about 3,000 doses are available statewide and another 7,600 doses are expected to be distributed in the next four to six weeks.
The federal government provides the two-dose Jynneos vaccine. It is not usually commercially available or stocked by health care providers, according to MDH.
“We know that this amount is not enough for the tens of thousands of people who are estimated to be at high risk in Minnesota,” said Dr. Lynfield. “The vaccine alone cannot stop the spread of this outbreak, the practice of preventive measures in addition to the vaccine is critical.”
MDH distributes the vaccines it receives from the federal government to local health care providers and health departments.
“I wish there were more places to give vaccines,” said Jamieson Fang, who lives in Saint Paul.
Fang called the Red Door Clinic in Minneapolis to schedule a vaccine after seeing new cases of monkeypox in the Twin Cities, including among friends about a month ago.
“Since the disease came to the United States, it has been in the back of my mind, but once some friends tell me that they got the virus in Minneapolis, I started to worry about the spread of the virus” , Fang said. “I just want to be proactive, protect myself and protect my friends from the virus.”
Fang received the first dose last week and will return for the second dose in about a month. According to health officials, the two doses are given about 28 days apart.
“The vaccine itself is quick and easy, not painful […] I don’t have any side effects,” Fang said. “I don’t want anyone to get this kind of disease, so be proactive and get vaccinated.”
Benter also encourages people to seek a vaccine to prevent further spread.
“It’s traumatizing, it’s really, really bad,” Benter said of the disease. “It’s absolutely important to get out there and get the vaccine.”
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