[ad_1]
Michigan has seen a spike in its known monkeypox infections as U.S. officials declare a public health emergency over the outbreak.
Since Monday, the state’s reported case total has nearly doubled, climbing from 37 infected people to 71 as of Friday, Aug. 5. The state’s first case was reported June 29.
Ingham, Ottawa, St. Clair and Livingston counties have joined the list this week with their first reported cases, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Also contributing to the addition was Macomb County’s total doubling to 10 cases, and Detroit’s total nearly doubling from 10 to 19.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. It comes from the same family of viruses as smallpox, with more often milder symptoms.
Related: Monkeypox vaccine available in Detroit as Michigan’s case count climbs
The virus is most commonly spread through direct contact with the rash, sabs or bodily fluids of someone who has been infected. Symptoms often include a rash that looks like pimples or blisters, as well as fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.
An infected person is infectious while the rash is present and up until scabs have fallen off. Symptoms typically appear 1-2 weeks after exposure, and the rash typically lasts 2-4 weeks, according to MDHHS.
Federal officials declared a public health emergency Thursday, allowing for an increase in emergency resources to fight the virus. The national count has climbed to more than 7,100 cases, led by 1,748 cases in New York, 826 in California, 577 in Florida and 571 in Illinois.
The White House says it has made more than 1.1 million doses of the Jynneos vaccine available, as well as increased testing capacity from 6,000 tests per week to more than 80,000.
Michigan has received more than 3,800 doses of the vaccine, and has distributed them to hubs in Detroit, Oakland, Washtenaw, Kent, Kalamazoo, Ingham, Genesee and Grand Traverse counties.
Below is a map of Michigan’s reported monkeypox cases. Hover over a county to see how many known cases have been identified.
Can’t see the map? Click here.
State health officials have instructed local providers to prioritize the vaccine for those most at risk. At the same time, they are “striving to utilize all doses of vaccine as soon as they become available.”
More cases are expected in the coming months. If you believe you’ve been exposed to the virus and/or start experiencing symptoms, contact a health care provider or your local health department.
For the latest updates on the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, visit the CDC website or Michigan’s monkeypox web page.
Read more on MLive:
Gov. Whitmer again asks Michigan Supreme Court to take up abortion law
Is abortion still legal in Michigan?: Questions answered on continuing court battles
[ad_2]
Source link