A case of monkeypox has likely been identified in Warren County.
On Wednesday, the Barren River District Health Department said it appears that initial testing and a case investigation show that a male in his thirties is likely the sixth case of the disease in Kentucky. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will conduct further testing.
The other five cases of the virus were diagnosed in Jefferson County. All the cases have been in males.
As of Wednesday, the CDC reports 4,639 cases of monkeypox in the U.S. Every state in the country has reported at least one case except Vermont, Wyoming, Alaska and Montana.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, according to the CDC.
Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.
Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
Symptoms
Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder.
Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. Sometimes people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
How it spreads
Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through:
- Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
- Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
- Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
- Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta
It’s also possible for people to acquire monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
People who do not have monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.
Treatment
There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections, the CDC says. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.
Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.
If you have symptoms of monkeypox, you should talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think you had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
