The first known monkeypox case in Wyandotte County was identified Tuesday.
The Unified Government Health Department stated in a news release that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed the positive case Oct. 4.
An individual with monkeypox is isolating at home, but further information is not available because of privacy concerns, according to the Health Department. Close contacts who may have been exposed have been notified by the KDHE.
The risk of community spread of monkeypox is low, according to the Health Department. The KDHE and UG Health Department will work together to respond to the case and monitor monkeypox in Wyandotte County, the spokesman stated.
The spokesman stated the Health Department has monkeypox vaccines available for people who are at higher risk of being exposed to monkeypox. The criteria for higher risk are based on guidelines from the CDC and KDHE. Those interested in getting a monkeypox vaccine may fill out a form online to see if they can get vaccinated or be added to a vaccinated waitlist.
To fill out the online monkeypox vaccine sign-up form, visit the Health Department’s “Alerts” page with monkeypox information at ughealth.info/monkeypox. The highest priority will be given to people who are currently most at risk of being exposed to the monkeypox virus, a spokesman stated. To access the monkeypox vaccine sign-up form in Spanish, visit ughealth.info/viruelamono.
People who have been exposed to a confirmed case of monkeypox will be contacted by their state health department and given special instructions on where and how to receive the vaccine, the spokesman stated.
The first cases of monkeypox in the current U.S. outbreak were reported in May 2022. This current outbreak continues to evolve. Public health agencies are monitoring the spread of monkeypox and learning more about the situation, according to the spokesman. Data from October 2022 showed there have been 21 cases in Kansas and 26,049 cases in the United States.
People usually get monkeypox through close personal contact, especially through sexual contact with someone who has symptoms. In a few cases, monkeypox can spread through prolonged face-to-face contact or through contact with contaminated surfaces such as clothing or linens.
Monkeypox usually involves a blister-like rash, which can be itchy or painful and can cause scarring. Monkeypox symptoms also may include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache and respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion or cough. Monkeypox symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus.
Currently, monkeypox testing is only available in certain circumstances, the spokesman stated. An individual must have symptoms and be examined by a health care provider to see if the individual is eligible for testing. People who have symptoms such as a new or unexplained rash that they think might be monkeypox should contact their health care provider. People in Wyandotte County also may call the Health Department at 913-573-6716 and leave a message. The Health Department staff will follow up.
The strain of monkeypox in the current outbreak is rarely fatal, and most people have mild to moderate illness, according to the spokesman. However, serious illness or death from monkeypox can happen. Some individuals are at higher risk for serious illness or death if they get monkeypox, including people who are immunocompromised, children under 8 years of age, people with a history of eczema, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
During the current outbreak, the CDC has reported severe cases of monkeypox among people who are immunocompromised (people who have weakened immune systems) due to HIV, another health condition, or as a result of treatment for certain health conditions.
For more information about monkeypox, see the Health Department’s Alerts page at ughealth.info/monkeypox.
- Story from UG Health Department