INDIANAPOLIS — State health officials announced Saturday they had identified the first probable case of monkeypox in Indiana in 2022.
The case was identified through initial testing at the Indiana Department of Health laboratories, although confirmation is still pending from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The patient is isolating and health officials are working to identify anyone that person may have had close contact with while infectious.
No additional information about the patient is being released due to privacy concerns.
“The risk of monkeypox among the general public continues to be extremely low,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “Monkeypox is rare and does not easily spread through brief casual contact. Please continue to take the same steps you do to protect against any infection, including washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and check with a healthcare provider if you have any new signs or symptoms.”
According to the IDOH, monkeypox symptoms usually start out as a fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion within 5 to 21 days after exposure.
Within one to three days, sometimes longer, after developing a fever a rash will usually appear. The rash often begins on the face and spreads across the person's body. Some people may only develop a rash and no other symptoms. The health department says symptoms usually last between two to four weeks and a person is considered infectious until all scabs from the rash have fallen off.
Person-to-person transmission is possible through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores or contaminated items such as bedding or clothing, according to the health department. Transmission is also possible through exposure to respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
RELATED: Officials find 2 monkeypox strains in US
The first case of monkeypox in Ohio was reported earlier this week.
There are now more than 50 confirmed cases in the United States across at least 16 states and nearly 1,500 cases confirmed worldwide. No deaths from monkeypox have been reported in with no 30 different countries, according to Ohio health officials.
For more information about monkeypox, symptoms and other areas where the infection has been detected visit the CDC website.
-
Riverside Neighborhood Parade celebrates 100 years
The Riverside Neighborhood Parade is an annual tradition in this near west side community. This year, the celebration turns 100.
Lawrence Police investigate shooting that left man seriously injured
The Lawrence Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a man seriously injured Saturday evening.
IPS anti-violence program seeks community funding
A program at Shortridge High School is providing a safe space for teens to hang out and connect after school. The SHINE project held its first tailgate of the season on Friday.
Mitchell scores 20, Howard 18 as Fever beat Sky 97-77 in playoff push
Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 points, Natasha Howard added 18 and the Indiana Fever moved closer to securing a playoff berth with a 97-77 win over the Chicago Sky on Friday night.
