First presumptive monkeypox case discovered in Washington
Posted May 24, 2022 10:33 am.
Last Updated May 24, 2022 10:34 am.
A presumptive positive case of the monkeypox virus is under investigation in Washington state, according to Seattle & King County public health.
Initial testing confirmed an orthopoxviral infection on Monday and confirmatory testing is being done at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The results have not been released as of Tuesday morning.
The man had travelled internationally in the past month to a country which had reported cases of the virus, officials said.
He is recovering at home and his symptoms are not considered life-threatening.
“The public and healthcare providers should be aware of the growing international monkeypox outbreak,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “At this time, we have no evidence that monkeypox is spreading locally, but if there are unrecognized cases, that is a possibility.”
King County is a region in Washington state, south of British Columbia. (King County)
If confirmed, it will be the second case in the country, however, there may be more. Officials say there are four more presumptive cases still being studied.
In the UK and Europe, there are more than 100 cases of the virus, which remains a very rare illness and in most cases is not deadly.
Officials say transmission can occur “through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or through respiratory droplets (saliva) from a case entering the eyes or mouth following prolonged face-to-face contact.”
Those who have recently travelled to central of west African countries, parts of Europe where monkeypox has been reported, and or has had contact with someone who may have the virus are urged to contact their healthcare provider.
Symptoms include an unexplained acute rash, and/or a headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, back pain, or weakness.
Read more: B.C. confirms zero known monkeypox cases after investigation
The first cases in Canada’s history were discovered last week with Health Canada confirming two people had tested positive in the Montreal area. Several other people were being tested, as they had signs and symptoms consistent with the monkeypox infection.
