INDIANAPOLIS — State health officials announced Saturday they had identified the first probable case of monkeypox in Indiana in 2022.
The case was identified through initial testing at the Indiana Department of Health laboratories, although confirmation is still pending from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The patient is isolating and health officials are working to identify anyone that person may have had close contact with while infectious.
No additional information about the patient is being released due to privacy concerns.
“The risk of monkeypox among the general public continues to be extremely low,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “Monkeypox is rare and does not easily spread through brief casual contact. Please continue to take the same steps you do to protect against any infection, including washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and check with a healthcare provider if you have any new signs or symptoms.”
According to the IDOH, monkeypox symptoms usually start out as a fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion within 5 to 21 days after exposure.
Within one to three days, sometimes longer, after developing a fever a rash will usually appear. The rash often begins on the face and spreads across the person's body. Some people may only develop a rash and no other symptoms. The health department says symptoms usually last between two to four weeks and a person is considered infectious until all scabs from the rash have fallen off.
Person-to-person transmission is possible through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores or contaminated items such as bedding or clothing, according to the health department. Transmission is also possible through exposure to respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
RELATED: Officials find 2 monkeypox strains in US
The first case of monkeypox in Ohio was reported earlier this week.
There are now more than 50 confirmed cases in the United States across at least 16 states and nearly 1,500 cases confirmed worldwide. No deaths from monkeypox have been reported in with no 30 different countries, according to Ohio health officials.
For more information about monkeypox, symptoms and other areas where the infection has been detected visit the CDC website.
-
City considering scaling back protected bike lanes on city’s north side
The city is considering whether to scale back its original plans for two-way protected bike lanes along a 1.5-mile stretch of Pennsylvania Street, from 46th Street to Westfield Boulevard.
Colts defense picks up the pace as offense continues searching for answers
The team's defense started this season struggling. It couldn't stop the run, couldn't keep teams out of the end zone, couldn't get off the field. Now the script has flipped.
Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving meal giveaway needs more volunteers
The Mozel Sanders Foundation plans to give away 10,000 free meals on Thanksgiving across four different locations in Indianapolis.
Events in central Indiana to enjoy this holiday season
The holidays are here so bundle up and get ready to celebrate the sights and sounds of the season. WRTV made a list of holiday-themed events for the whole family to enjoy.
