ST. LOUIS–The St. Louis Department of Health announced Tuesday what it believes is the city’s first probable case of monkeypox, pending confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control.
Earlier this month, the CDC reported at least 62 probable cases in Illinois and 3 in Missouri. The Illinois cases have been in the Chicago area. In Missouri, there were two cases in the Kansas City area and one recently reported in the Springfield area.
"Through this individual’s cooperation with the Department of Health, we believe their minimal contact with other individuals will help contain the spread of this virus within our community,” St. Louis City Health Director Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis said in a news release. In a late afternoon briefing with reporters, Davis said the travel was domestic. It could be days or weeks before the CDC confirms the case, at which point local officials would then be able to release where the travel took place.
Monkeypox symptoms include Fever and headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes, rash, bumps, or blisters that can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals. This may look similar to syphilis, herpes, or other common skin rashes.
The illness can last anywhere between 2-4 weeks. Transmission is higher among people in close sexual networks. However, anyone in close contact, like skin-to-skin or face-to-face cases may get the infection.
"There really is no need for panic here at this time. This is a first case here, we let people know immediately, we have no concerns that, you know, the numbers are rapidly rising and again the investigation shows that so far this is contained," Davis said. While there are no vaccines specifically for monkeypox, Davis said she's working with state health officials to get access to vaccines for other illnesses that have shown efficacy in treating monkeypox.