First Known American Death in 2022 From Monkeypox
Monkeypox patient dies in Harris County, Texas, as experts probe whether death is first confirmed US casualty from virus.
DEADLY SPREAD
Monkeypox patient dies in Harris County, Texas, as experts probe whether death is first confirmed US casualty from virus
10:35 ET, Aug 30 2022
Updated: 12:03 ET, Aug 30 2022
A MONKEYPOX-positive patient has died in Texas as health officials probe whether the death is the first confirmed US casualty from the virus.
The adult, whose identity and gender have yet to be disclosed, died in Harris County on Sunday, officials announced.
An adult with 'various severe illnesses' including monkeypox, has died in Texas
An autopsy is in the works to determine the patient's exact cause of death
Health officials said the person had "various severe illnesses" and are trying to determine what role monkeypox played in the death.
Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt highlighted the patient's "immunocompromised" condition.
"Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems," he said.
“We are sharing this information to err on the side of transparency and to avoid potential misinformation about this case,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo added on Monday.
“The best way for us to fight this virus is through vaccines. Our goal is still to get as many people who qualify vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
"I have always felt that vaccines are the key to reducing spread.”
Local health officials and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are closely monitoring the case.
The startling death comes as the US has recorded over 18,000 monkeypox cases.
The United States confirmed its first case of monkeypox in a traveler who returned to Massachusetts from Canada on May 17.
California has been struck the hardest with 3,291 confirmed cases, followed by New York with 3,197, Florida with 1,870, and Texas with 1,604.
Monkeypox remains most dominant among men who have sex with men.
However, health officials have warned that other groups can become infected.
The virus can spread through prolonged face-to-face contact, intimate or close contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids.
NEW GUIDANCE
The CDC released new guidance about identifying monkeypox during the current outbreak, which has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization.
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