By The Chicago Times Staff
June 19, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana health officials announced the state’s first probable case of Monkey Pox on Sunday.
According to the Indiana Department of Health, the alleged infected patient remains isolated while confirmatory testing at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is completed. Health officials are diligently searching for anyone with whom the patient had contact while infectious.
“The risk of Monkey Pox among the general public continues to be extremely low. Monkey Pox 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.” said Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box.
Monkey Pox is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact with body fluids, Monkey Pox sores or contaminated items touching a person, or exposure to respiratory droplets during prolonged contact.
Symptoms include a fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion about five to 21 days after exposure. A rash will develop and spread across the body one to three days after a fever arrives.
Monkey Pox will lasts for about two to four weeks, IDOH noted. Patients are considered infectious until all scabs have fallen off.
According to the CDC, there are currently 113 Monkey Pox cases confirmed in the United States so far.
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