Case of Monkeypox discovered in Arkansas

Submitted Patrick Massey of KDQN.net

The first case of monkeypox has been detected in Arkansas, state health officials announced this week.

The first case of monkeypox in the U.S. was detected in early May. Arkansas reported its first case on Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a total of 559 monkeypox cases have been identified in 32 states. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain and a painful rash that can occur as many as seven to 14 days following exposure.

On Wednesday, Arkansas Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Dillaha held a news conference to announce the state’s first case as well as describe the virus and how it’s transmitted. She noted that an important distinction is that monkeypox is not as easily spread as, for example, the coronavirus.

State officials have not disclosed where Arkansas’ first case of monkeypox was detected, or whether that person had traveled out of state. However, she said two vaccines are currently available to treat those who contract the virus.

Dillaha added that the Health Department will perform contact tracing similar to what was done during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said more cases of the virus will likely be detected in the state. She and other health experts in Arkansas expect the virus is unlikely to spread like the COVID-19 virus due to the much closer contact needed to transmit the virus.

As of July there have been no deaths attributed to the monkeypox outbreak in the United States. Those most vulnerable to severe symptoms from the virus include immunocompromised people and those with pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema.