Health officials identified the first case of monkeypox in Orange County on Wednesday amid rising cases statewide.
“Orange County has demonstrated our ability to respond to the spread of communicable disease in the past,” County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman said in a statement. “We continue to be in contact with the State Department of Health to ensure we have the resources necessary to protect our residents.”
There were 756 confirmed monkeypox cases in the state on Wednesday, according to the state Health Department, up from 679 on Tuesday, when Albany County announced its first case.
While the vast majority of cases have been identified in New York City, cases have also been found in Westchester, Sullivan, Rockland and Greene counties.
Additional monkeypox vaccines will be distributed to some additional upstate communities, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday said.
Monkeypox is a viral infection that can start with flu-like symptoms and progress to a rash, like blisters or pimples. The virus is transmitted through physical contact. Most infections last two to four weeks. It is rarely fatal.