Two adults in the identical Salt Lake County family are suspected to have monkeypox primarily based on preliminary testing, Salt Lake County Well being Division officers introduced Monday morning.
The 2 contaminated people traveled internationally earlier this month to an space “at the moment experiencing monkeypox instances” and have become symptomatic afterward, officers stated in a information launch.
“Each people are in isolation and don’t current a danger to the general public,” officers stated within the launch. “They’re experiencing gentle sickness and are anticipated to get well totally.”
Additional details about the 2 presumably contaminated people was not launched early Monday; county well being division officers cited medical privateness legal guidelines.
Dr. Angela Dunn, govt director of Salt Lake County Well being Division, is predicted to deal with the obvious monkeypox instances in a information briefing Monday morning.
Publicity issues
In keeping with county officers, “Utah’s public well being system has not recognized any publicity danger to the general public on account of these possible instances.”
Any publicity concern is as a substitute restricted to individuals who have been particularly recognized to have had “direct, shut contact” with the presumably contaminated people throughout their infectious interval, officers stated in a press release.
County and state well being division officers are contacting these obvious shut contacts and anticipate to succeed in all of them by the tip of the day Monday, in keeping with the information launch.
What specialists learn about monkeypox
Monkeypox is a uncommon sickness usually present in Central and West Africa, however well being officers have lately recognized instances in Europe and North America.
In people, monkeypox signs can embrace fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes, Salt Lake County well being officers suggested. Individuals contaminated with monkeypox usually develop a rash, often first on the face earlier than spreading to different components of the physique, which then flip into fluid-filled bumps referred to as “pox.”
The “pox” lesions usually scab over earlier than falling off, officers stated. An infection can final between two and 4 weeks.
President Joe Biden on Sunday stated the monkeypox instances lately recognized in Europe and North America have been one thing “to be involved about,” The Related Press reported this weekend.
How monkeypox usually spreads
Monkeypox will not be recognized to unfold simply amongst people, and transmission doest not usually occur by means of informal contact, Salt Lake County officers suggested.
As a substitute, human-to-human transmission usually happens by means of direct contact with bodily fluids, together with monkeypox lesions. It may additionally happen by means of “extended, shut face-to-face contact.”
It often takes about seven to 14 days for somebody to go from being contaminated with monkeypox to start displaying signs, however that point interval can vary from 5 to 21 days, officers suggested.
“Contaminated individuals are not contagious earlier than they present signs,” officers stated.
There’s at the moment no confirmed, secure remedy for monkeypox, nonetheless — restricted obtainable proof signifies that smallpox remedies could also be helpful, officers stated. Most individuals get well with no remedy.
If you happen to plan to journey internationally quickly
Utahns who plan to journey internationally ought to reference the Heart for Illness Management and Prevention’s present suggestions on monkeypox and different communicable ailments for his or her supposed locations, Salt Lake County well being officers suggested.
These suggestions embrace frequent, thorough hand-washing, avoiding contact with animals, and avoiding shut contact with people who find themselves apparently experiencing signs of monkeypox or different sickness.
Individuals with worldwide journey deliberate ought to contemplate checking to ensure that they’re updated on really useful immunizations and educated about potential well being dangers at their supposed locations, officers suggested.
You possibly can plan an appointment with the Salt Lake County Well being Division Journey Clinic to examine by calling 385-468-4111.
For extra details about monkeypox, go to CDC.gov/monkeypox.
— It is a creating story and might be up to date.