MADISON (NBC 26) — The first case of monkeypox has been identified in a Wisconsin resident, the state health department announced Friday.
On June 30, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) identified the first confirmed case of orthopoxvirus, presumed to be monkeypox, in a resident of Dane County, DHS said in a news release. There had previously been a reported "isolated exposure" in Oconto County.
DHS said the Dane County patient is currently isolating and the risk remains low for the general public. As of June 30, DHS says there have been 396 confirmed monkeypox and orthopoxvirus cases in the United States due to this outbreak.
DHS, federal, state, and local partners are working closely together to investigate and monitor the current monkeypox outbreak.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it is preparing nearly 300,000 monkeypox vaccines for high-risk individuals as the virus spreads.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the risk of monkeypox in the United States to the public is low, but you should avoid contact with others if you develop an unexplained skin rash.
Typical symptoms of monkeypox include a rash, fever, malaise, headache, and muscle aches.
On Saturday, the World Health Organization said it would not declare monkeypox a global health emergency, but the agency expressed concern over its spread.
