The public health agency serving San Antonio and Bexar County last week confirmed two cases of Monkeypox while a third case was reported by a health official later on Friday. Monkeypox is a virus that causes blisters on the skin and can be transferred by skin-to-skin contact.
The cases identified in Bexar County involved “skin lesions in the genital, groin and anal regions that might be confused with rashes caused by common diseases such as herpes and syphilis,” according to a press release. Other symptoms can include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, chills, swollen lymph nodes and exhaustion.
Kendall County Emergency
Management Coordinator Jeff Fincke told The Star last Friday he is not aware of any cases in Kendall County at this time.
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely and typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
Both Bexar County individuals were isolating, and people they’ve been in close contact with have been notified, according to the press release.
“We encourage residents to be aware of the symptoms, follow prevention recommendations and consult with a healthcare provider when needed,” Metro Health Director Claude A. Jacob said in an emailed statement.
“Because the disease does not easily spread from person-to-person without direct contact, the chance of exposure to the public is minimal,” Jacob said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking the Monkeypox outbreak, which has now been reported in several countries, and almost every state in the U.S. The CDC is urging healthcare providers to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with Monkeypox, regardless of whether they have traveled or have specific risk factors.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District recommends avoiding close skin-to-skin contact in large crowds, like nightclubs and festivals. Confirmed cases should “isolate at home until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.”
As of Friday, Texas has 43 reported cases of Monkeypox.
Information from the CDC states the Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people.
The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries.
Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. These cases occurred on multiple continents.
The CDC stated people with monkeypox in the current outbreak generally report having close, sustained physical contact with other people who have monkeypox.
As of last Friday, there were 1,470 confirmed cases in the U.S. and 43 in Texas. New York reported the most cases with 414, California had 180, Illinois 160 and the District of Columbia 91.
Monkeypox goes through different stages before healing completely and typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash
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