The CDC confirmed the suspected orthopoxvirus detected in Peach State was this virus.
ATLANTA – Georgia officially has its first case of monkeypox.
The Georgia Department of Public Health said it received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that last week’s orthopoxvirus case actually monkeypox.
CDC leaders reported the suspected case of the virus last Wednesday. The Atlanta-based federal public health agency reported a diagnosis of orthopoxvirus in a man in the coastal city of Atlanta. Georgia DPH health officials said he is still monitoring his symptoms in isolation as they continue contact tracing. CDC data shows this is the only confirmed case of the virus in Georgia.
It is not known how or where the man contracted the virus.
The CEO of the Piedmont Healthcare System COVID task force, Dr Jayne Morgan, said while she hoped for more cases of monkeypox, it’s important to remember that It is not contagious like other diseases.
“A case of monkey pox is certainly not enough to stir up any kind of panic. From what I understand, this is a visitor who arrived in Atlanta after international travel and has been isolated,” she said.
CDC’s website updated Monday night, showing Georgia has its first case of monkeypox. As of Monday, Georgia now joins 12 other states with the rare disease.
“The No. R0, being its spawn number, is still pretty low, less than one. That gives you an idea of how contagious and contagious it is, by comparison. COVID, the omicron variant, could be around 10 or 11. Measles could be at 11 or higher,” said Dr. Morgan.
On June 1, according to World Health Organization, there have been 643 confirmed cases worldwide. That number rose to 780 the next day, and Monday night was at 1.019.
Smallpox vaccines and antiviral treatments can now be used to control outbreaks. The Department of Health and Human Services told 11alive that it has enough vaccine to manage the current outbreak.
“I don’t believe this will be available to the general public, possibly to healthcare workers, who might be exposed if they are treating sick people or people who have been in close contact with people who have been infected. had a major illness. exposure,” added Dr. Morgan.
Monkeypox was first reported in the United States in Massachusetts last month. That man had recently traveled internationally, health officials there said.
To date, Florida is the only southern state to report cases of the disease. Other states, such as Virginia and New York, have also reported cases, CDC data shows.
Symptoms of the disease include a blistering rash. The CDC also listed fever, chills and fatigue as known symptoms, with people reporting muscle aches and headaches.
According to WHO, people infected with the virus usually have symptoms within 2-4 weeks. Global health leaders say severe cases of monkeypox occur in children “and are linked to virus exposure, patient health status and complications.”
There is currently no treatment to prevent or cure the virus, but some patients are treated with the smallpox vaccine or antiviral medication, according to the CDC.
No deaths have been reported in the outbreak outside of Africa.
