PITTSBURGH — The first case of monkeypox in Pittsburgh has been reported.
According to a release, the patient who tested positive has their primary care physician at Central Outreach Wellness Center in Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
This brings the total number of cases in the state to five. Pennsylvania’s first case was reported in Philadelphia on June 2.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention beefed up its response to the monkeypox outbreak, activating its emergency operations center.
Nearly 4,000 cases have been diagnosed globally since the outbreak began in May, according to World Health Organization data.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox begins with:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
Within one to three days after having a fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body.
Monkeypox spreads in different ways, according to the CDC, including the following:
- 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
>>> Monkeypox: What is it, how dangerous is it, should you be concerned?
Specifically, the CDC is now advising health care providers to test for all rashes with clinical suspicion for monkeypox.
According to the CDC, “Currently, there is no proven, safe treatment for monkeypox virus infection. For controlling a potential outbreak, the smallpox vaccine is given.”
Central Outreach Wellness Center said to “keep your hands to yourself” in order to stop the spread.
Here is the latest United States case count by state: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html
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