NEWS

First 2 confirmed monkeypox cases reported in Hays County, officials say

Luz Moreno-Lozano
Austin American-Statesman

The first two confirmed cases of monkeypox were reported in Hays County on Friday, health officials said. Hays County is the second Central Texas county to confirm cases of the disease. 

As of Thursday, Travis County had nine confirmed cases and 70 presumed cases. Williamson County has seven presumed cases, but none confirmed.

A confirmed case means a person has tested positive and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that test result. A presumed case means a person has tested positive, but the CDC has not yet confirmed the result. 

There are 813 confirmed monkeypox cases in Texas and 11,177 total confirmed cases in the United States.  

The World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global emergency in July. The United States, which in July called the growing monkeypox outbreak a national health emergency, leads the world in number of cases. 

The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which causes smallpox, according to the CDC. 

More:Monkeypox cases rise in In Austin area; COVID-19 holding steady

Monkeypox transmission occurs through close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox or contact with objects contaminated by an infected person. Monkeypox is primarily spread through contact with infectious sores, scabs or bodily fluids. The virus can spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. 

Anyone can contract monkeypox, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, the CDC said.

Monkeypox often begins with fever, intense headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes. The time from infection to developing symptoms is usually between seven and 14 days. However, individuals can develop symptoms as early as five days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should contact their health care provider and avoid gatherings, sex or being intimate with anyone until they consult a doctor. 

Information on the two people in Hays County with confirmed cases has not been made public, but the county's Local Health Department is investigating the cases and working to identify individuals who may have had direct contact with them.  

The Hays County Local Health Department has received a limited supply of the monkeypox vaccine, which can be administered on a case-by-case basis.  

Tracking local monkeypox cases