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Monkeypox has been found in 12 states and Washington, DC just weeks after it was first discovered in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The agency has stressed that the virus, which spreads through prolonged skin contact, does not pose a high risk to the public.
However, the CDC has raised its monkeypox alert level to Level 2, meaning Americans should exercise caution when traveling but not cancel their plans.
A person infected with monkeypox can form painful rashes and lesions. The virus lasts two to four weeks, and a person is no longer contagious once the lesions have healed.
Most cases in the US have been found in men who have had sex with other men. A case was discovered in a woman who was having heterosexual sex.
The US has reported no deaths from monkeypox cases, and officials are working to contain cases by identifying who has been exposed to the virus and getting them a vaccine.
There are currently more than 30 cases nationwide.
“The strain of monkeypox virus that is affecting patients in this outbreak is the West African strain and it is less severe than other known strains [such as] in the Congo Basin, meaning it has resulted in fewer deaths in historic outbreaks in Africa,” said Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Pathogens and Serious Consequence Pathology.
Here are the states known to have cases of monkeypox:
California
California has at least six known cases of monkeypox in the state. The first case was announced on May 27th.
The patient was from Sacramento County and recently traveled to Europe. The person was not hospitalized and is isolating at home.
Los Angeles County recorded its first case on June 2 and said the person had recently traveled and been in close contact with someone who likely had the virus.
The person was symptomatic but did not require hospitalization.
Colorado
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) announced the state’s first case of monkeypox on May 26.
The first case was a young adult man who had traveled to Canada, and a second case was reported about a man who the state health department said was a close contact of the first person, Rocky Mountain PBS reported.
A third person has since been confirmed to have contracted monkeypox in Colorado.
Florida
Florida has four recorded cases of monkeypox in the state, with the first being announced on May 22nd.
The first case came from a person in Broward County who had recently traveled outside the United States
Since then, two more cases have surfaced in the area. CBS Miami reported that one of the cases came from a person who had traveled internationally and another from someone who contracted the virus in Florida.
The CDC also reported a fourth case in the Sunshine State.
Georgia
The state announced its first case of monkeypox in a greater Atlanta-area man on June 6.
The man has a history of international travel and has been isolating at his home.
So far, no other cases have been reported in Georgia.
Hawaii
Hawaii reported a probable case of monkeypox in a resident of the state on June 4.
The patient recently traveled to an area where cases are known, according to the country’s health department.
The person is hospitalized and in stable condition.
Illinois
The first case of monkeypox in Illinois was reported June 2 in a man who recently traveled to Europe.
The person was a Chicago resident who was isolating at home and in “good condition,” according to the state.
A second case was announced a day later in another Chicago resident who was a close contact of the first man.
Massachusetts
The first case of monkeypox in the US was found in Massachusetts and reported on May 18th.
The case involved an adult male who had recently traveled to Canada. The state said the person was hospitalized and in good condition when the infection was announced.
No cases have been reported in the state since then.
new York
New York has confirmed seven people have contracted monkeypox after the first case was confirmed on May 26.
The state did not say where the individuals have traveled recently, but warned those who have traveled to Portugal, Spain, Britain, Canada or central or west African countries are at higher risk of having the virus.
The state also said men who have sex with men and anyone who has close physical contact with others are at increased risk.
Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced the state’s first case of monkeypox on June 2.
The case involved a Philadelphia resident, but no further information was given about the patient.
“The threat of monkeypox to the people of Philadelphia is extremely low,” said Dana Perella, director of the Department of Health’s Acute Communicable Diseases program. “Monkeypox is much less contagious than COVID-19 and can be contained, especially if help is sought promptly if symptoms are present.”
Utah
In Utah, the Salt Lake County Health Department issued an announcement on May 23 of two probable cases of monkeypox.
The cases involved two adult males living in the same household. The two traveled internationally in early May.
The people had mild cases, according to the department, and were expected to make full recoveries.
Virginia
Virginia reported its first case of monkeypox in a resident on May 26.
According to the state, the woman recently traveled to an African country where the monkeypox virus is found.
She was isolated at home and did not require hospitalization.
Washington
Washington reported a case on May 27 and has not seen any other recorded cases of monkeypox since.
The state said the person is isolating at home and does not require hospitalization but has not disclosed recent travel history.
None of the people exposed to the patient were considered a possible positive case.
Washington, D.C
The District of Columbia announced Monday its first case of monkeypox in a person who recently traveled to Europe.
Authorities said close contacts of the people were being monitored and no other cases had been reported.
