3rd case of monkeypox confirmed in Allegheny County

A third monkeypox case in Allegheny County has been confirmed.

The Allegheny County Health Department confirmed that three residents have now been diagnosed with monkeypox. Health officials say that all victims of the virus are males in their 20s and 30s. None of the patients have required hospitalization at the time and are isolating at their homes. The county has begun contact tracing protocols.

“The ACHD has a highly honed case investigation process and is ready to help contain any possible community spread of the monkeypox virus in Allegheny County,” remarked ACHD Chief Epidemiologist LuAnn Brink. “To contain the virus effectively and efficiently we need residents to work with our nurse case investigators to determine the source of the infection and if it has spread to others. We appreciate any and all assistance.”

On Thursday, a doctor with Central Outreach Wellness Center on Pittsburgh’s North Side said they were treating their second case of monkeypox. The first case was reported on Wednesday. Infectious disease specialist, Dr. Stacy Lane, treated both patients. She said the first confirmed case was not related to the second confirmed case.

As of 3:00 p.m. on Friday there were 13 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Pennsylvania.

Related >>> Doctor confirms second monkeypox case in Allegheny County

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention beefed up its response to the monkeypox outbreak on Tuesday, activating its emergency operations center.

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 and 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.”

According to Dr. Lane, if you’ve been exposed to monkeypox, the key is getting the vaccine early.

“Time is of the essence. The sooner they get the vaccine, the better off they are.”

If you’ve been exposed, you should contact your doctor or the health department, and they can supply you with a smallpox vaccine, which also treats monkeypox.

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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CDC activates emergency operations center in response to monkeypox outbreak The action dedicates 300 CDC staff to collaborate with local, national and international outbreak-response partners (NCD)

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