Dallas County reports first confirmed case of monkeypox virus infection this year

Dallas County is investigating its first case of monkeypox this year, according to a news release from Dallas County Health and Human Services.

A Dallas County resident recently traveled to another country that has confirmed cases of monkeypox and returned with symptoms, according to the release. Test samples were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and came back positive. The infected person has not been hospitalized and is in isolation at home, recovering.

Dallas County Health and Human Services and the CDC have reached out to people who had contact with the infected person, including people who were on a flight with him or her from Mexico to Dallas, and are monitoring them for symptoms of infection, according to the release.

There is little risk to the public, as of now, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Philip Huang.

“However, monkeypox cases have been spreading globally, and we are actively working with local healthcare providers to ensure they are prepared to recognize monkeypox and report suspected cases to public health officials,” Huang said in the release.

Monkeypox, classified as a rare disease by the CDC, is a variant of the same virus that causes smallpox. The CDC said it is currently keeping up with multiple cases of the virus from countries that don’t usually report infections, including the U.S.

There have been 30 confirmed cases in the U.S.

This infection presents symptoms including a rash, lesions, swollen lymph nodes, fever and scabbing, according to the CDC. Severity of the infection depends on the health of the person prior to exposure, the strain of the virus and the way in which they were infected. Incubation is typically seven to 14 days and the infection typically lasts two to three weeks. It can, in some cases, be fatal.

The U.S. had an outbreak of monkeypox in 2003, brought to the country by imported animals, which was contained through lab testing; deployment of smallpox vaccines and treatment; development of guidelines for patients, health care providers and veterinarians; and by tracking infections among people and animals, according to the CDC.

Travel-associated cases were also reported in July and November of 2021, according to the CDC.

If you have a rash consistent with monkeypox, the CDC says you should immediately contact your health care provider, even if you haven’t knowingly been in contact with someone who is infected.

The virus spreads through direct contact with someone who is infected, through sores, scabs and body fluids, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services. It can be spread through prolonged exposure to respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face-contact and during intimate contact, such as sex, kissing, cuddling or touching body parts with monkeypox sores or lesions.

Monkeypox infections reported in unusual countries

Monkeypox has been spreading in countries that do not usually experience cases of the infection, including the U.S., UK, Spain, Portugal and Canada.

The CDC has created an interactive map that shows where cases have been reported, and how many.

According to CDC data, the UK has had the highest number of recorded infections at 302 as of Tuesday.

Spain and Portugal both have more than 100 reported confirmed cases at 198 and 153, respectively. Canada has 80.

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