Ulster County has confirmed its first case of monkeypox, Health Secretary Dr Carol Smith said in a news release on Saturday.
Smith said the county was “monitoring the spread of monkeypox cases in New York State” and encouraged at-risk people to get the ginneos vaccine.
According to Smith:
“We have been working on a public awareness campaign to share information about monkeypox through social media and public service announcements.We also have access to treatment through the state in severe cases. If you think you have contracted pox, please contact your healthcare provider, who should contact Ulster County Health if they become aware of a suspected case of monkeypox.”
Monkeypox Facts According to Ulster County Health Department:
Symptoms of monkeypox include:
- Rash, bumps or blisters on or around the genitals or other areas such as the hands, feet, chest or face.
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur before, after, or not at all.
New York State guidelines currently limit eligibility for monkeypox vaccination to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Individuals who have been recently exposed to a suspected or confirmed case of monkeypox within the previous 14 days.
- People at high risk of recent monkeypox exposure, including gay men, bisexuals, transgenders, members of gender nonconforming communities, and members of other communities of men who have had sex with and are engaged to men
- Have had close or skin-to-skin contact with another person in the past 14 days in an area where monkeypox is endemic.
- An individual who has had skin-to-skin contact with someone on a social network experiencing monkeypox activity.