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July 1, 2022
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The Minnesota Division of Well being at present recognized extra instances of monkeypox virus in Minnesota residents, for a complete of six instances.
All instances are recognized in adults dwelling within the Twin Cities space. The entire individuals with instances up to now have had a journey historical past (together with home journey) or direct contact with somebody who lately traveled, however well being officers hope instances on account of group unfold could also be recognized quickly as different areas exterior of Minnesota have seen unfold. inside their communities. Not one of the Minnesotans with instances are at present hospitalized and all are receiving medical care and recovering.
Whereas Minnesota’s case numbers are at present low, state well being officers consider not all monkeypox sufferers have sought testing or analysis by a well being care supplier and are involved the variety of infections might rise. shortly except people who find themselves prone to getting monkeypox take steps to guard themselves, acknowledge when they might be contaminated, and search medical consideration immediately if they’re.
“It’s clear that monkeypox has reached Minnesota,” mentioned Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist. “Whereas our present instances are related to journey exterior of Minnesota, we anticipate to quickly see instances amongst individuals who haven’t any historical past of journey or contact with somebody who has, indicating it’s spreading inside social media in Minnesota. We additionally consider that many individuals with instances nationally don’t search medical care and that the variety of individuals experiencing monkeypox is increased than reported instances. We wish to ensure that at-risk Minnesotans and their well being care suppliers are knowledgeable about monkeypox — the way it spreads, what the signs are, and easy methods to forestall its unfold.”
The virus is unfold by shut contact, normally skin-to-skin contact with a rash, scab, or physique fluid or contact with supplies which have been contaminated with a rash, scab, or physique fluid, equivalent to clothes or bedding, or extended face-to-face contact . face contact. Monkeypox is much less infectious than different ailments equivalent to COVID-19, measles, chickenpox, and influenza; nevertheless, it may be simply unfold by contact with pores and skin lesions.
Folks with monkeypox are sick for about two to 4 weeks and may unfold the virus till the rash is totally healed, that’s, till the scabs fall off and new pores and skin seems.
Monkeypox normally begins with signs equivalent to fever, headache, sore throat, swollen glands, and fatigue, adopted by a rash, however not everybody with monkeypox has these signs. Some will solely have a rash. In some individuals, the sores begin on the tongue or within the mouth.
The rash might appear like pimples or blisters and should unfold to numerous components of the physique or stay in a single space (see CDC Indicators and Signs of Monkeypox). The monkeypox rash can resemble many different rashes, equivalent to syphilis or herpes, particularly when it happens within the genital space. Though monkeypox shouldn’t be sexually transmitted, some sufferers have had syphilis or herpes infections and monkeypox on the similar time. Discuss to a well being care supplier you probably have a brand new rash or different worrying signs, particularly you probably have been involved with somebody who has had a rash.
“Monkeypox can generally be confused with sexually transmitted ailments, equivalent to syphilis or herpes, so it will be significant for healthcare suppliers to think about a number of infections and attempt to study as a lot as attainable from their sufferers about their potential contacts. within the final 14 days with somebody who might have had monkeypox,” Lynfield mentioned. “Having the ability to establish instances and their contacts early is essential to supply acceptable remedy for the person and prevention of high-risk contacts, together with post-exposure vaccination. This may go a great distance in decreasing the unfold of the virus.”
Anybody can get monkeypox if they’ve shut and sustained contact with somebody who’s contaminated with monkeypox. This may embrace skin-to-skin contact and through sexual exercise. Within the present world outbreak, we’re seeing a excessive proportion, although not all instances, occurring amongst individuals who establish as homosexual and bisexual males. “It’s important that people who find themselves at increased threat are conscious of the potential for publicity and take steps to scale back the chance of an infection,” Lynfield reiterated.
Most individuals with monkeypox get higher on their very own, and the sickness normally lasts two to 4 weeks. Nevertheless, generally monkeypox could cause critical sickness, equivalent to pneumonia or sepsis, and relying on the place it’s discovered, there could be issues, equivalent to blindness if the lesions are within the eye. Whether it is within the rectal space, there could also be extreme ache and a few individuals might have scarring from the pores and skin sores.
For individuals who have extreme sickness or are prone to extreme sickness (for instance, individuals with weakened immune techniques), or individuals with sure pores and skin situations or different issues, antiviral medicine that had been developed for smallpox could also be used for remedy underneath particular remedy. protocol by means of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Extra details about the virus and easy methods to restrict the chance of an infection could be discovered on the MDH Monkeypox web site and the CDC Monkeypox web site.
-MDH-
Media Inquiries:
Doug Schultz
MDH Communications
651-201-4993
doug.schultz@state.mn.us
