North Carolina officials recently confirmed that 11 confirmed cases of Monkeypox has been reported in the state.
10 of those cases are North Carolina residents, while 1 is a non-resident.
Nearly 929 people in the United States have been infected with Monkeypox since May 18, according to the National Centers For Disease Control And Prevention.
The first case in North Carolina was reported in Haywood County. The NCDHHS announced the confirmed case on June 23. Three days later, Mecklenburg County reported its first case and on Tuesday, Durham County reported its first case.
NCDHHS says it will not provide a county-by-county breakdown or saying where new cases have occurred.
They say they want to protect patient privacy.
Monkeypox is part of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also contains the virus that causes smallpox. According to the CDC, most outbreaks of Monkeypox are linked to countries in central and Western Africa.
The West African strain involved in this outbreak has a high survival rate but can be “extremely painful” and leave lifelong scars, according to the CDC.
Sadly, Monkeypox can cause death, according to the CDC. Including individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, children younger than 8 years and individuals who have had eczema or who are immunocompromised.
The virus can cause a rash with fluid-filled blister that later dries and scabs over.
WATCH VIDEO OF MAN IN HOSPITAL WITH MONKEYPOX VIRUS BELOW:
It has been reported that some people diagnosed with Monkeypox have had lesions on the penis, anus, hands, feet, arm, legs, and face. According to UNC Health, blisters can appear in unusual places such as the palms or soles of the feet.
According to UNC Health, some patients might experience other symptoms before they notice any bumps. Some individuals may feel ill, be fatigued, experience headaches or notice swollen glands, according to the website.
While asymptomatic individuals can spread COVID-19, the CDC says individuals infected with monkeypox can spread the virus only if they have symptoms.
Monkeypox is transmitted person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact, having contact with an infectious rash, through body fluids or through respiratory secretions, according to DHHS.
Such contact often occurs during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex. While anyone can get monkeypox, in the current outbreak, many of the cases are in men who have sex with men.
There are other ways to contract the virus.
Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids is another way monkeypox spreads, according to the CDC.
It’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
Symptoms can last for two-four weeks, and infected individuals can be contagious until their rash disappears and new skin covers the affected area, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has symptoms consistent with monkeypox and those who have had contact with someone who has monkeypox should isolate at home away from others.
On June 28, the White House announced that it would begin sending vaccines to areas that needed them the most.
With today’s national monkeypox vaccine strategy, the United States is significantly expanding deployment of vaccines, allocating 296,000 doses over the coming weeks, 56,000 of which will be allocated immediately, the White House said in the press release.
Over the coming months, a combined 1.6 million additional doses will become available.
Last week, DHHS announced the state will receive 444 doses that will go to Buncombe, Durham, Forsyth, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Pitt and Wake counties.
