VDH reports second presumed case of monkeypox

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia Department of Health is reporting a second presumed case of monkeypox in the state.

Preliminary testing was completed by the Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and confirmed the Orthopoxvirus infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now do testing to confirm the monkeypox virus.

The patient is a man from northern Virginia who was exposed out of state. The man is isolated at home.

The health department will be monitoring the man’s close contacts.

The first case in Virginia was confirmed in May.

Multiple countries are experiencing an outbreak of the virus.

“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 23, CDC had reported 3504 cases of monkeypox identified in 44 countries; 173 cases were reported in the United States,” a release said.

Monkeypox is a potentially serious illness characterized by a type of rash.

“Monkeypox is a rare disease in the United States and based on the information currently available about the evolving multi-country outbreak, the risk to the public appears to be low.” said State Epidemiologist Lilian Peake, MD, MPH, Director of the Office of Epidemiology at VDH. “VDH continues to monitor this disease and provide guidance to medical providers in Virginia to be on the lookout for possible monkeypox cases and report them to their local health districts. We encourage anyone who has symptoms and potential exposure described below to consult their healthcare provider.”

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