Arizona Department of Health Services announce first Monkeypox case in Pima County

Monkeypox symptoms consists of rash, fever or swollen lymph nodes, contact your health care provider if you have the possible following symptoms

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Pima County Health Department (PCHD) and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) identified the first probable monkeypox case in Arizona.

One monkeypox case is confirmed and seven possible cases are waiting for confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are all located in Maricopa County.

A man under 40 from Pima County tested positive for Monkeypox at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory and confirmatory testing is underway at the CDC.

The federal government will provide a vaccine for those who have close contacts of cases and the virus can be treated with antiviral medicines.

Monekypox symptoms includes a rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Most people are at low risk of contracting the virus and transmission requires skin-to-skin contact, direct contact with body fluids or prolonged face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox infections are not usually severe and its symptoms are similar to the flu with a rash that resolves within 2-4 weeks.

“The most common way the virus is transmitted is skin to skin,” says Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen. “The odds of someone getting monkeypox without having direct contact with an individual that has monkeypox are miniscule, and I do not want people to be worried about that. The County has a robust response available, and we’re working closely with the state and the CDC.”

Monkeypox is a rash that may look like pimples or blisters on the face, the inside of the mouth, hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus.

The infection usually begins with a fever including chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue.

Help prevent the spread of monkeypox and other viruses by washing your hands frequently and staying home when feeling sick.