The monkeypox virus is now in Wake County, according to N.C. Department of Health and Human Services officials.

Health officials confirmed the first Wake County case Wednesday and said the patient is at home isolating, and the department is working on contact tracing. 

This is the third reported case in North Carolina. The first case was identified in Haywood County June 24, and a case in Mecklenburg County  was announced June 27.

There have been more than 500 cases reported across the U.S. as of July 5, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Wake County, along with state and federal, health authorities are working to monitor the outbreak. 

The virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact, and its symptoms are generally flu-like, but also include a rash with pimples or blisters. 

“Monkeypox cases continue to rise across the country, so it is not a surprise that it has now been detected in Wake County,” said Dr. Nicole Mushonga, Wake County Associate Physician Director and Epidemiology Program Director in a news release from Wake County. “Fortunately, unlike COVID-19, there’s already a vaccine approved to help curtail this virus in the early stages of this outbreak. We encourage all residents to know the symptoms and be aware of the risk factors for monkeypox.”