Health
Fourth case of Monkey Pox hits Mississippi
The CDC has reported a fourth case of Monkey Pox in Mississippi. Across the US there are now over 6,000 reported cases, according to the CDC. Six states report only 1 case of the Monkey Pox while New York has the highest number of reported cases with 1617.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health website, “Monkeypox is a rare viral disease spread through close personal contact, including skin-to-skin. It can cause a rash or sores, and flu-like illness. The disease is rare but is being increasingly reported in the U.S. and other countries that don’t normally have monkeypox cases.”
The virus is spread primarily via skin-to-skin contact. On their website, the MSHD lists the known ways Monkey Pox is contracted. One can get the pox via direct contact with monkeypox rash, sores or scabs. Other ways to get it include contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox. Also, you can contract the pox through respiratory droplets from face-to-face contact with a person who has monkeypox.
Many monkeypox cases have occurred among men who have sex with men, but anyone who comes into close contact with an infected person may be at risk. Individuals are strongly encouraged to employ safe sex rules and abstain if they have open wounds.
The Vicksburg Daily News reached out to the Mississippi Department of Health to see if any cases had been reported in Warren County. They responded by directing us to the CDC website and could not confirm or deny any cases in our area.
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