{"id":9207,"date":"2022-06-29T17:13:35","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T21:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=9207"},"modified":"2022-06-29T17:39:01","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T21:39:01","slug":"virginia-reports-additional-presumed-cases-of-monkeypox","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/virginia-reports-additional-presumed-cases-of-monkeypox\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Reports Additional Presumed Cases of Monkeypox: Individuals are Residents in Northern, Eastern and Southwestern Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Immediate Release – June 29, 2022<\/b>
\nMedia Contact:\u00a0<\/b>
\nLorrie Andrew-Spear, <\/span>Lorrie.Andrew-Spear@vdh.virginia.gov<\/span><\/a>, Risk Communications Manager\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Virginia Reports Additional Presumed Cases of Monkeypox\u00a0<\/strong>
\nIndividuals are Residents in Northern, Eastern and Southwestern Virginia<\/em><\/p>\n

(<\/span>Richmond, VA<\/b>) — Today, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced five additional presumed monkeypox cases in Virginia residents, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases reported in Virginia to <\/span>eight<\/span><\/a> since May 2022. Testing was conducted at the Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Multiple countries, including the United States, are currently experiencing a monkeypox outbreak. To date, most, but not all, cases have occurred in persons who identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men (MSM). Few hospitalizations and one death have been reported globally in this outbreak thus far. As of June 28, CDC had <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> 4,769 cases of monkeypox identified in 49 countries; 306 cases were reported in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new cases are <\/span>adult male residents of the northern (3), eastern (1) and southwestern (1) regions of Virginia who were exposed to other people with monkeypox. The Virginia patients are currently isolating.\u00a0 To protect patient privacy, no further information will be provided. The health department is identifying and monitoring the patients\u2019 close contacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monkeypox is a potentially serious viral illness, characterized by a specific type of <\/span>rash<\/span><\/a>. Rash lesions can begin on the genitals, perianal region, or oral cavity and might be the first or only sign of illness. Co-infection with sexually transmitted infections have been reported. Some patients also have fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and\/or swelling of the lymph nodes before developing a rash. Symptoms generally appear six to 14 days after exposure and, for most people, clear up within two to four weeks.\u00a0 Person-to-person<\/span> spread occurs with close contact or with direct contact with body fluids or contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or linens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although there is no approved treatment for monkeypox in the U.S., some treatment options may be beneficial. As with many viral illnesses, treatment mainly involves supportive care and relief of symptoms. For patients who have severe illness or are at high risk of developing severe illness, treatments can be accessed through the federal government with VDH coordination. Two vaccines are also available through the federal government as postexposure prophylaxis for people who had close contact with a person with monkeypox and are at highest risk of exposure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have symptoms consistent with monkeypox, seek medical care from your healthcare provider immediately, especially if you are in one of the following groups:<\/span><\/p>\n