INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) said Thursday that there are now 17 presumed positive cases of monkeypox within the county.
On July 13, the department announced there were two cases. The Indiana Department of Health announced on June 18 that the first probable case of monkeypox was identified in Indiana.
The MCPHD says more monkeypox cases are expected.
“We must all be vigilant in understanding that, while some individuals are at a higher risk for monkeypox, it can spread to anyone,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department, in a news release. “Be aware of the symptoms, and please seek the help of a medical provider if you have any questions.”
IDOH has opened up a registration form for Hoosiers to get the monkeypox vaccine. The MCPHD is administering monkeypox vaccine post-exposure to those individuals determined by the health department to be a known contact to a monkeypox case.
MORE: Info, resources from IDOH on monkeypox | CDC information on monkeypox
On Saturday, the World Health Organization said the expanding monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries is an “extraordinary” situation that now qualifies as a global emergency.
The most common symptoms, according to the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body; fever; swollen lymph nodes; body aches; and exhaustion.
Isolation of monkey pox cases is necessary during their infectious period. Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
-
Comedian Carlos Mencia faces 12 felony charges over unpaid taxes
Comedian Carlos Mencia was arrested Thursday and charged with 12 felony charges for failing to report or pay taxes on more than $8 million in earnings, prosecutors said.
Quiet couple of days, more storm chances late Sunday
After a stormy Wednesday, the next few days will be quieter before a late weekend storm system. Scattered showers and storms are possible, especially for the second half of Sunday.
IMPD safely located missing 77-year-old Indianapolis man
Indianapolis Metropolitan police are asking the public to help find a missing 77-year-old man diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Obama Center opens in Chicago with a celebrity lineup of supporters
Former President Barack Obama formally opened his presidential center in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy.