Health officials in Utah are investigating two suspected cases of Monkeypox, the fourth US state to report infections.
Two adults who live in the same house in Salt Lake City and had recently returned from overseas are showing mild symptoms for the disease, officials said.
Salt Lake Health said the infected pair were isolating and there was not thought to be any risk of exposure to others.
Five confirmed or suspected cases have now been reported in the US in the past week.
• Utah’s public health system has not identified any exposure risk to the public due to these probable cases.
• Monkeypox is a rare illness usually found in Central and West Africa, though health officials have recently identified several cases in Europe and North America.— Salt Lake Health (@SaltLakeHealth) May 23, 2022
On Sunday, Florida health officials said they had identified a “presumptive” case of Monkeypox in a patient in Broward County. The case was also linked to international travel.
• People with upcoming international travel should also consider making an appointment with a travel medicine clinic to ensure they are current on recommended immunizations for travel and are educated about potential health risks at their destination(s).
— Salt Lake Health (@SaltLakeHealth) May 23, 2022
Last week a Massachusetts man became the first confirmed case in the America. Samples from a patient in New York City who was experiencing symptoms consistent with Monkeypox are also being examined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than 190 people across 16 countries are believed to have contracted the disease, which spreads from primates to humans.
Salt Lake Health officials recommended those travelling to countries in Europe and West Africa where Monkeypox was active should consider getting immunised.
