PITTSBURGH – The second case of smallpox in Allegheny County has been confirmed by a doctor on Channel 11.
A doctor at the Central Outreach Wellness Center said they are treating their second case of smallpox. He said the results of the second patient’s test turned positive for the virus on Thursday.
As of this afternoon, there are ten confirmed cases in Pennsylvania. All but two are from the Philadelphia area. Both local cases were dealt with at Central Outreach in the Northside.
The infectious disease specialist, Dr. Stacy Lane, treated both patients. He said the first confirmed case was not related to the second confirmed case.
“At first the patient’s symptoms were mild. He finally tested positive for two days at West Penn Hospital, and the state confirmed he has monkeypox, “Dr. Lane said.
He added that most men are contracting the virus.
“The virus is really aimed at gay men. I think people should be aware of their own skin and that of others before having skin-to-skin contact,” he added.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strengthened its response to the monkeypox outbreak, activating its emergency operations center.
Nearly 4,000 cases have been diagnosed worldwide since the outbreak began in May, according to data from the World Health Organization.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smallpox in monkeys begins with:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Back pain
- swollen lymph nodes
- Shivers
- Exhaustion
Between one and three days after having a fever, the patient develops a rash, which often begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body.
Smallpox is spread in different ways, according to the CDC, including the following:
- direct contact with infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
- respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sexual intercourse
- touching items (such as clothing or sheets) that previously touched the rash or body fluids
- pregnant women can transmit the virus to their fetus through the placenta
>>> Monkeypox: What is it, how dangerous is it, should you worry?
Specifically, the CDC now advises health care providers to test for all eruptions with clinical suspicion of monkeypox.
According to the CDC, “Currently, there is no safe and proven treatment for monkeypox virus infection. To control a possible outbreak, the smallpox vaccine is given.”
According to Dr. Lane, if you have been exposed to monkeypox, the key is to get vaccinated soon.
“Time is of the essence. The sooner they get the vaccine, the better. “
If you have been exposed, you should contact your doctor or health department, and they may provide you with a smallpox vaccine, which also treats smallpox.
The Central Outreach Wellness Center said “have your hands on yourself” to stop the spread.
Here is the latest U.S. case count by state: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html
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