MADSON, Wis. (WBAY) — State health officials say they have confirmed the second case of monkeypox in Wisconsin.
The patient is a resident of Milwaukee County. His orthopoxvirus infection was confirmed on Saturday. The first case in Wisconsin was reported on July 1 in a Dane County resident.
The DHS says that “the overall risk to the general public remains low” although the number of confirmed monkeypox cases in the United States is increasing. As of Friday, the CDC says there were 767 confirmed cases of monkeypox and orthopoxvirus in the US
“Current evidence from across the country suggests the virus is mostly spread through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox,” says DHS Secretary-Design, Karen Timberlake. We urge all Wisconsin people to be vigilant and contact a doctor if you develop a new or unexplained rash.”
Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash and skin sores. Health officials say recent cases include skin lesions in the genital, groin and anal areas that can be confused with herpes or syphilis. The majority of cases involve gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, but anyone can be infected by close contact with someone with the virus.
Most patients recover without treatment in 2 to 4 weeks. Vaccinations and antiviral treatments are available. Even people who received the smallpox vaccine decades ago may have some protection from the disease or reduced severity.
DHS urges:
- Anyone who looks like monkeypox should talk to a doctor or nurse about whether they need to be tested, even if they don’t think they’ve had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with people showing a rash or skin sores. Do not touch or kiss the rash or scab, do not hug, hug, have sex, or share things such as eating utensils or bedding with someone who has monkeypox.
- In areas with known monkeypox, there may be a higher risk of exposure from participating in activities involving close, personal, skin-to-skin contact.
- If you were recently exposed to the virus, contact a doctor or nurse to talk about whether you need a vaccine to protect against the disease. Monitor your health for fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash, and contact a health care provider if any of these occur. If you become ill, avoid contact with others until you have received health care.
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