Ulster County confirms first case of monkeypox
Ulster
County confirmed its first case of monkeypox, Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol
Smith said Saturday in a news release.
Smith
said that the county has “been monitoring
the spread of monkeypox cases in New York State” and encouraged at-risk
populations to get the Jynneos vaccine.
According
to Smith:
“We have
been engaged in a public awareness campaign to share information about
monkeypox through social media and public service announcements. We also have
access to treatment through the State for severe cases. If you believe you
have been exposed to monkeypox , contact a healthcare provider. Medical
providers should reach out to the Ulster County Department of Health if a
suspected case of monkeypox comes to their attention.”
Monkeypox facts from the Ulster County Department of Health:
Monkeypox
symptoms can include:
- Rashes, bumps or blisters on or
around the genitals or in other areas like hands, feet, chest or face. - Flu-like symptoms, such as
fever, headache, muscle aches, chills and fatigue. These symptoms may
occur before or after the rash appears, or not at all.
Currently,
New York State guidelines limit Monkeypox vaccine eligibility to individuals
who meet the following criteria:
- Individuals with recent
exposure to a suspected or confirmed monkeypox case within the past 14 days.
- Those at high risk of a recent exposure to monkeypox,
including gay men and members of the bisexual, transgender, and gender
non-conforming community and other communities of men who have sex with
men and who have engaged - in intimate or skin-to-skin contact with others in the past
14 days areas where monkeypox is spreading. - Individuals who have had skin-to-skin
contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity.